Me and Tree Blog 10

MOVE OUT FROM UNDER THE DARK SHADOW OF STRESS

STRESS SNEAKS UNNOTICED INTO YOUR LIFE

In the previous nine blogs on moving out of the shadow of depression and anxiety, I mentioned that, together with depression, stress has become an illness of our time. It has sneaked into the lives of just about every person in Western society. Stress is snugly at home in more or less every dimension of human life. Stress has probably become an integral part of your life too – definitely a factor to be reckoned with. Let us be still for a moment and confront this phenomenon head on. It is important not only to recognize your stress for what it actually is, but also to take meaningful steps to handle it. Stress can be healthy. It has the potential to motivate and drive you. However, it has to be channeled in the right direction. You need to be empowered as to how to handle stress, and you also need to be aware of what may happen, if you do not take action, when the experience of stress occurs.

The difference between stress and tension

There is a difference between stress and tension. Stress can be described as tension pressure. It has to do with the totality of physical and mental reactions to unpleasant stimuli. Stress is generally characterized by a disturbance of the body’s homeostasis (balance and stability in the bodily processes which ensure optimal functioning), but more specifically by symptoms such as:

· palpitations

· continuous fatigue

· anxiety

· tension

· In serious cases it can lead to illness and even death, as is described in the work of H. Selye.

On the flip side, tension is associated with a normal reaction to stimuli, such as conflict and other exciting situations. It is, amongst other, characterized by:

· increased adrenalin secretion

· increased muscle tautness and palpitations

· associated emotions like excitement, restlessness and anxiety.

Examples of tension producing situations are when:

· a minister is about to deliver a sermon;

· an actor is waiting to go on stage;

· a chairman getting ready to lead a meeting;

· a student preparing to deliver a speech to an audience;

· parents trying to get children, who are already late, ready for school;

· you and your partner experiencing conflict just before guests are expected to arrive;

· your car runs out of fuel and you are already late for an appointment;

· your monthly budget doesn’t balance.

Stress is not necessarily negative. As already stated, tension and the adrenalin secreted as a result of it, can lead to enhanced focus in the carrying out of tasks.

Adrenalin is a hormone secreted by the adrenal medulla (innermost part of the adrenal gland) during emotional conditions. The most noticeable effect on the body is accelerated heartbeat; blood clots more easily; increased resistance against fatigue; widened arteries and dilation of the pupils of the eyes. Adrenalin can also sometimes act as a neurotransmitter which is a chemical substance secreted by the neuron – especially in the case of stress, and the fight-or-flight reaction.

Tension is less dangerous than stress. Therefore one can deduce that tension is actually required in most situations for optimal functioning, whilst stress is a definite cause for concern.

Tension can be compared to the mild wind blowing through the branches and the rustling leaves of a tree; whilst stress can be compared to a strong wind shaking the branches and the leaves of a tree to the extent that a branch might bend or a leave might fall off the tree...