 |
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Posts Tagged ‘Stress’
Wed, August 13, 2008 8:38 am By James Coolridge  Printer friendly version
 Email to a friend
 The present world is a home to a variety of disorders arising from stress and anxiety. Filled with chaos and tension and worries, the new generation is getting affected with different mental issues which may lead to dangerous consequences in the long run. Anxiety disorder is one such hazard among them. If we take a deep view, there are many causes of anxiety disorder. You cannot pick out a single reason for it. There could also be combination of more than one factors. Some of the factors regarded as the causes of these anxiety disorders are as follows:
Biological Factor:
The Major Cause of Anxiety Disorder
The biological factor is likely be a prominent cause of anxiety disorder. If any attack happens on our well being, be it physical or mental, our adrenaline gland secretes a hormone in our body which prepares us for the fight, fright and flight reactions. It not only generates physical changes in our body but also psychological changes in the brain that enable us to react to a particular action. This makes our heart rate get faster. This makes the brain to get involved in this juncture, resulting into a lot of mental pressure.
Different Thinking Patterns
Every individual follows his own way of thinking about and reacting to a particular situation. Positive thinking helps in living a better and sound life, whereas the negative thoughts generate mental strain in the body, thus causing an anxiety disorder.
Suggested measures to overcome it would include an individual having complete authority to change his thoughts, which further affects the physical and mental well-being of a person.
Excessive Stress and Lifestyle factor
Excessive stress invariably leads to anxiety disorders. The way one leads life is also one of the prominent factors responsible for an anxiety disorder. The burden of overwork, an violent fight and fright reactions get activated in the body which compels the person to react in a particular way. In addition to it, the way one leads his/her life can also be one of the factors responsible for anxiety disorder. An unhealthy lifestyle habit comprises of excessive work, improper/inadequate sleep ,lack of regular exercises poor diet schedule and behavioral issues.
You can overcome this trouble by taking simple precautions such as having a calm and peaceful attitude towards life. By practicing self-care which includes sound intake of food and a sound sleep for maximum 6-8 hrs daily.
Up-bringing Atmosphere:
The atmosphere one has been brought up in, does have a deep effect on your thinking capabilities. The surrounding environment is a major cause of anxiety disorder. It is the matter of time and experience that reflects a change in the thinking patterns.
Genetic factor:
Genetic factor is another prominent cause of anxiety disorder that contributes to social anxiety.
We can easily conquer all the above mentioned factors causing anxiety disorder. What you need is a calm mind and willingness to take up risks in life with an open attitude. All you need to think is the world is at your feet so say goodbye to stress and enjoy a blissful life.
Tags: Sleep, Health, Lifestyle, Stress, brain, Anxiety Disorder, mental pressure, thinking
Sat, August 9, 2008 2:43 pm By James Coolridge
 Manage your time better- Poor time management can cause a lot of stress. When you’re stretched too thin and running behind, it’s hard to stay calm and focused. But if you plan ahead, you can avoid these stress-inducing pitfalls.
Don’t try to control the uncontrollable- Many things in life are beyond our control— particularly the behavior of other people. Rather than stressing out over them, focus on the things you can control.
Look for the Brightside- When facing major challenges; try to look at them as opportunities for personal growth.
Include relaxation time-Include rest and relaxation in your daily schedule. Don’t allow other obligations to encroach. This is your time to take a break from all responsibilities and recharge your batteries. Make time for leisure activities that bring you joy, whether it be stargazing, playing the piano, or working on your bike.
Exercise regularly. Physical activity plays a key role in reducing and preventing the effects of stress. Make time for at least 30 minutes of exercise, three times per week. Nothing beats aerobic exercise for releasing pent-up stress and tension.
Eat a healthy diet- Start your day right with breakfast, and keep your energy up and your mind clear with balanced, nutritious meals throughout the day.
Reduce caffeine and sugar- The temporary “highs” caffeine and sugar provide often end in with a crash in mood and energy. By reducing the amount of coffee, soft drinks, chocolate, and sugar snacks in your diet, you’ll feel more relaxed and you’ll sleep better.
Avoid alcohol, cigarettes, and drugs- alcohol or drugs may provide an easy escape from stress, but the relief is only temporary. Later the stress simply piles on plus your health starts to suffer.
Get enough sleep-Feeling tired will increase your stress because it may cause you to think irrationally.
Managing stress is all about taking charge: taking charge of your thoughts, your emotions, your schedule, your environment, and the way you deal with problems. The ultimate goal is a balanced life, with time for work, relationships, relaxation, and fun—and the flexibility to hold up under pressure and meet challenges head on.
Tags: Stress, mental health, Manage Stress, emotional stability, physical health
Fri, August 8, 2008 2:43 pm By James Coolridge
 The simple realization that you’re in control of your life is the foundation of stress management
Living with high levels of stress, can putt your entire health at risk. Stress wreaks havoc on your emotional stability, as well as your physical health. It tapers with your ability to think clearly, function effectively, and enjoy life.
How to Manage Stress
Stress is a daily part of our life; it would be absolutely foolish to think that we can eliminate it from our lives completely. What we can do is to manage it and not let it cripple us.
Learn to say “no” – This is the most important step, know your limits and stick to them. Whether in your personal or professional life, refuse to accept extra responsibilities that you know will cause you distress.
Avoid people who stress you out – If someone constantly causes stress in your life and you can’t turn the relationship around, limit the amount of time you spend with that person or end the relationship entirely.
Take control of your environment – Avoid environments that stress you, if traffic’s got you tense, take a longer but less-traveled route. If shopping is an unpleasant chore, do your grocery shopping online or ask someone to help out.
Avoid heated topics – If you get upset over religion or politics, avoid talking about them. If you repeatedly argue about the same subject with the same people you are bound to be stressed.
Know your limits– evaluate your schedule, responsibilities, and daily tasks. If you’ve got too much on your plate, drop tasks that aren’t truly necessary to the bottom or eliminate them entirely.
Express instead of bottling up- If something or someone is bothering you, communicate your concerns in an open and polite way. If you don’t voice your feelings, resentment will build creating unnecessary stress.
Compromise- When you ask someone to change their actions, be willing to do the same. If you both are willing to bend a little, you’ll find a middle ground.
Be more assertive- If you need something ask for it. Deal with problems head on, doing your best to anticipate and prevent them.
Tags: Stress, mental health, Manage Stress, emotional stability, physical health
Fri, July 4, 2008 1:37 pm By James Coolridge
 Periodic Limb Movement Disorder (PLMD)
This is a related condition involving involuntary, rhythmic limb movements, either while asleep or when awake. While most people who have Restless Legs Syndrome also have PLMD, only some people with PLMD also have RLS. Because of the discomfort the symptoms cause, RLS can make it difficult falling (and staying) asleep. Alternative therapies, lifestyle changes, and even nutritional supplements have proven helpful for RLS and PLMD sufferers.
Narcolepsy
Narcolepsy is a disorder that causes a person to have difficulty staying awake. Narcolepsy can cause a person to suddenly fall asleep during the day. These “sleep attacks” occur even after getting enough sleep at night. The unusual sleep pattern that people with narcolepsy have can affect their schooling, work, and social life.
Symptoms:
Intermittent, uncontrollable episodes of falling asleep during the daytime
Excessive daytime sleepiness
Sudden, short-lived loss of muscle control during emotional situations
Hallucinations
Sleep paralysis
Nighttime wakefulness
Rapid entry into REM sleep
Night Terrors
Dreaming is a natural part of sleeping, everyone dreams, although some might not recall their dreams. However, sometimes dreams can turn really scary night Terrors. Night terrors occur during slow wave sleep. They cause intense terror and partial arousal. The sleeper may appear to be awake, sitting up, eyes open, but is actuality still asleep. The person seldom remembers the episode or the dream the next
Symptoms:
Recurring abrupt arousals from sleep
Usually occur earlier in sleep than nightmares, often in the first third of the sleep period
Screaming
Intense fear
Rapid breathing and heartbeat
Sweating
No response to efforts to comfort the dreamer
No recall of the episode in the morning
No medical or mental cause for these episodes
REM behavior disorder
This involves speaking (often profanely) and sometimes making violent movements during REM sleep, usually in response to a dream. People with rapid eye movement behavior disorder are sometimes aware of having dreamed vividly during these episodes when they wake up the next day.
Violent movements
Profane talking
Waving the arms, punching, and kicking, punching, kicking, leaping, or jumping from bed while still asleep
Dream-enacting behaviors
Tags: Insomnia, Stress, Sleep disorders, night terrors, RLS, sleep apnea, REM disoders
Wed, July 2, 2008 1:37 pm By James Coolridge
 In today’s hectic world getting a good nights sleep has become a major issue. There are many reasons for this, the most obvious of course is stress but there are many other causes as well.
Insomnia
Insomnia is a considerable lack of high-quality sleep. It can be short-term or chronic, and can be caused by stress, change in time zones or sleep schedule, poor bedtime habits, or an underlying medical or psychiatric conditions.
Symptoms :
Difficulty falling asleep despite being tired
Requiring sleeping pills or alcohol to fall asleep
Awakening frequently during the night or lying awake in the middle of the night
Awakening too early in the morning despite not feeling refreshed
Daytime drowsiness, fatigue, and irritability
Sleep apnea
This is a common disorder that has the potential to become very serious, and even life-threatening. In sleep apnea, your breathing stops or gets very shallow while you are sleeping. Each pause in breathing typically lasts 10 to 20 seconds or more. These pauses can occur 20 to 30 times or more an hour.
Symptoms:
Frequent cessation of breathing (apnea) during sleep. Your sleep partner may notice repeated silences from your side of the bed.
Choking or gasping during sleep to get air into the lungs
Loud snoring
Sudden awakenings to restart breathing
Waking up in a sweat during the night
Feeling tired in the morning after a night’s sleep
Headaches, sore throat, or dry mouth in the mornings after waking up
Daytime sleepiness, including falling asleep at inappropriate times, such as during driving or at work
Restless legs syndrome (RLS)
This is a sensory disorder causing an almost overwhelming urge to move the legs. The urge to move the legs is usually due to uncomfortable, tingly, or creeping sensations that occur when at rest. Movement eases the feelings, but only for a while.RLS is not necessarily restricted to sleep time.
Symptoms:
Irritating sensation in legs
An overwhelming urge to move
Sensations that vary depending on position and time of day
Visible movements in toes or feet
Tags: Insomnia, Stress, Sleep disorders, night terrors, RLS, sleep apnea
Fri, June 20, 2008 10:28 am By James Coolridge
 US researchers in their study figured out that people who are often stressed out or depressed are prone to memory loss. This can even lead to Alzheimer’s disease at an early age.
The researchers analyzed data from two major studies involving nearly 1250 elderly people who had no memory problems when the study was started. Nearly 480 people started developing mild cognitive impairment after up to 12 years of follow up. The participants were rated on the basis of how often they are prone to tensions and depression.
“What we’re measuring is a personality trait that we all have to greater or lesser degree. We all experience anxiety and periodic depression. This trait helps identify people for whom that are more characteristic than others,” said Wilson, whose study has appeared in journal Neurology.
Tags: Depression, Stress, research., anxiety, Alzheimer’s
Mon, June 2, 2008 1:32 pm By James Coolridge
 Graying hair is one of the signs of the ageing process. Nearly half of the hair on the scalp become grey by the age of 50. But when the hair starts graying at a premature stage, many people are haunted by a great deal of anxiety and hopelessness.
The process of graying hair usually starts in the middle age of, when the pigment cells die and the hairs loose their color. The process of graying hair takes place when the person grows older and reaches middle age. As a result, these pigment cells die and color is lost from the hairs.
According to the scientific reports, the pigment cells called as melanocytes are linket to the process of graying hair. When the melanocytes die off, the hair loses its color and turns grey. The hair is black when black chromatophore is present in sufficient amounts and when it gets reduced over time, the hair becomes grey. Another cause of graying hair is the lack of a balanced diet and stress. Sebum, an oily substance secreted by the sebaceous glands of the scalp is the source of nutrition for our hair. The luster and blackness is retained by this oily substance. When hair is given the required nutrition, the result is graying of hair.
The hair care market is now flooded with new hair coloring products that are proving to be effective in restoring the natural color of hair. These coloring products contain a common ingredient called as lead acetate, which sticks to the natural color of the hair and gradually returns the hair to its natural color.
Tags: Stress, Hair, illness, medications, graying
Fri, April 25, 2008 1:23 pm By Justin Palmer
 Do you know that every morning when you wake up and get ready to go to work, you are actually welcoming a huge set of health problems? Have you ever wondered that workplace not only gives you loads of work and thus money, but also loads you with a list of serious health issues!
The truth is that work-related health problems are increasing drastically. The nature of your work is to blame. These are called as occupational health problems.
Let us know more about the health hazards at workplace.
Disorders related to shoulder, arm, forearm, wrist or hand (the upper extremity):
If your elbows are aching, you have sore shoulders, tingling fingers and swollen wrists then you are suffering from Upper Extremity Disorder. Studies prove that the UEDs are generally caused by complex interactions between three primary factors: ergonomic factors, psychosocial factors and preexisting medical conditions. The ergonomic factors include force, repetition and poor posture.
How to deal with UED?
Changing your workplace may not instantly fix the problem, but will surely help to some extent. It will be better to consult your physician and discuss with him the medical conditions which are preexisting and which are contributing to UED.
The lower back pain:
Lower back pain has become one of the inevitable disorders for people doing white collar jobs. You sit on the same place, in the same posture for a long time which ultimately triggers off lower back pain. If your job demands static postures, frequent bending, lifting, twisting, sudden movements or sitting in the same position at a stretch, consider reorganizing your work schedule. If you can’t avoid this, concentrate on strengthening and stretching exercises. Don’t skip the routine stretching exercises to reduce the stress of lower back.
Occupational Respiratory disorders:
A crowded workplace has now become a breeding ground for various infectious diseases including common cold, viruses, and respiratory infections especially during peak winter.
A dripping nose of your co-worker is really irritating and can make you sick. The best cure is taking rest. If the sickness increases, better consult a doctor and take off from the work for a day or two.
Other occupational respiratory disorders are molds and asbestos. Mold is the type of fungi found which thrive on damp environment. The carpets, plumbing, insulation and ventilation are safe haven for molds.
Asbestos is indeed a silent killer. Long-term exposure to asbestos can trigger Asbestosis and lung cancer.
Stress:
No doubt, stress accompanies your work. The more work pressure, the more you are stressed out. This contributes to work loss, less productivity and illness. According to the survey conducted in 2001 by the National Institution for Occupational Health and Safety, the stress levels technical, sales and administrative support occupations are nearly double than any other occupations.
Aerobic exercises are the best stress busters. If you are used to Yoga, nothing like it!
Tags: Stress, respiratory disorder, workplace
Mon, March 17, 2008 7:35 am By James Coolridge
 Is your boss pushing you to work like a robot? Are you working without breaks? Hectic schedule is nerve-racking, isn’t it? Beat the stress by a few tricks. Read on to know more:
Deep breath: Take a few deep breaths. It works great.
Hang around: Deviate from your workplace for a while. Taking short breaks of 2-3 minutes helps in focusing better.
Music: Close your eyes and listen to soothing music.
Laugh out loudly: Do your thing; join a laughter club, laugh purposelessly. But make sure you do laugh. Don’t like the fake laugh? Read some rib ticklers.
Think big: Visualize as if you have completed the burdened presentation or think as if you are relaxing at your favorite vacation spot.
Tags: Stress, Office, Hectic Schedule
Sat, March 15, 2008 10:14 am By James Coolridge
 Have you been sulking for a long time about something or the other? Can’t figure out when was the last time you had a good laugh. You may be on the verge of depression. Find out the reason and shun them.
Money factor
One of the leading causes of depression today is money. Money related problems such as shortage or overspending are widespread.
Lack of balance in life
Juggling with you professional and private life? Don’t have time for yourself or those who are near to you? It’s time you organize your life.
Loneliness
Because of job, education, or other reasons, many people don’t live close to their family members. This disconnection from their loved ones can actually lead them into depression.
Eating disorder
It’s surprising how many people are suffering from eating disorder in the world. Despite of all the awareness about obesity and the diseases it leads to, the number of people suffering from it continue to rise.
Lack of Sleep:
The reasons can be varied, but insomnia or lack of sleep is both a cause and a symptom of depression.
Tags: Insomnia, Depression, Self Esteem, Isolation, Stress
| |
| | | | |
Posts RSS
Comments 
RSS
