An Introduction To Stress
Nigel Lowson 
Meet stress!! What is it, what creates it and how does it affect us?
An introduction to stress
What is stress?
There are lots of definitions but the one I like is:
“Stress occurs when the pressures of a situation are greater than the capacity of our resources to cope.”
I suspect we’ve all been found ourselves here at one time and another!!
The two elements that combine to make us stressed are:
1. The situation/s we face - which may be external (such as reports of events in world, something at work or in the family or a with friends) or internal (such as an illness, or how we feel about our ageing, our changing body shape). And because we can rarely do anything about them it makes things seem even worse to us. However, this doesn’t stop us from wanting things to be different - perhaps we want things to be as they ought or should be. And this always adds fuel to the fire.
2. The resources we have - we can do something about this and this community is all about this. Although we can rarely alter the situations and events that we live within we can affect hugely our response because this depends upon what resources we have. This community is about adding to your resource bank and building up your resilience so that you can influence the only thing you can - your response to events.
Is a lot of stress good for you?
No.
Stress is not a good thing. To many people in our modern culture there is a view that a little bit of stress is good for us because it keeps us on our toes, makes us more focused and makes us work efficiently and effectively. Not so. It harms you. Physically, mentally and emotionally.
However, we are built to respond to stressful situations with alertness so we avoid hurting ourselves. But I would prefer us to lead lives without feeling stressed at all. And we can.
What are the symptoms of stress?
- It can affect every part of your life - the physical, mental, emotional and behavioural sides to you.
- No part of you is immune from its effects, although you may have a particular weakness in one part of you, for me it’s my stomach.
- People react differently to the same situation depending upon their resources and their experiences
- You can react differently to the same situation at different times
- Symptoms vary hugely. They can be vague, inconsistent, weak or specific, ever-present and overwhelming
- Take the stress test - there are two given in this community. What’s your view on them? Do they work? Are you stressed?
Common effects of stress on your body
- Increase in headaches, muscle tension, chest pain, tiredness, blood pressure, heart problems, cold sweaty hands and feet, dry mouth and difficulty swallowing, clenched jaw and grinding of teeth
- Changes in sex drive and sleep patterns
Common effects of stress on your mood
- Increased anxiety, worry, restlessness, irritability, anger, frustration, moodiness, sadness, depression, negativity, avoidance of other people
- Lowered self-esteem, focus, ability to judge, productivity at work
- Generally you feel unlike your true self, less loveable to others and yourself.
Common effects of stress on your behaviour
- Changes in your appetite - it may diminish or you may overeat or even swing between the two,
- Increase in procrastination, avoidance of your responsibilities, reliance upon alcohol/drugs/tobacco and nervousness (such as nail biting, fidgeting, and/or pacing)
Summary
- You are stressed when you can’t cope (well) with what is happening to you
- A extended period of stress is not a good thing
- Stress affects poorly upon your physical health, your mental health, your emotional well-being as well as your behaviour.
- If you don’t tackle your stress you’re increasing the likelihood of having more illnesses and probably an increase in the severity of any existing illnesses.