Signs and Symptoms of stress:

The most dangerous thing about stress is how it is affecting your health without you realizing it. In addition, stress affects your body, your thoughts and feelings and your behavior. Thus, it is important for us to know the tell-tale signs of stress.


Cognitive symptoms:

-Forgetfulness
-Poor concentration
-Inability to make decisions
-Being pessimistic
- Constant worrying


Emotional symptoms:

-Irritability
-Inability to relax
-Feeling overwhelmed
-Depression
-Feeling insecure
-A sense of loneliness


Physical symptoms:

-Nausea and dizziness
-Chest pain, radiating into the neck and arm.
- Not being able to sleep properly
-Palpitations of the heart, a ‘lump’ in the throat or stomach, dry mouth and slight tremor of the hands
-Inability to swallow food properly
-Weight loss or alteration in the lower bowel habit such as constipation
-A rapid or erratic pulse rate for no obvious reason, which may occur when relaxed or at rest
-Frequent colds


Behavioral symptoms:

-Overeating or under eating
-Alcohol, drug or cigarette intake increases rapidly
-Social withdrawal
-Relationship conflicts
-Procrastinating or neglecting responsibilities



From:
http://www.stressbusting.co.uk/articles/stress-signs-and-symptoms/
http://helpguide.org/mental/stress_signs.htm
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/stress-symptoms/SR00008_D


- Pannita

Advantages of stress
Stress is useful as it can be a motivator. For example, if you are feeling stressed as you have a very important assignment due soon, the stress may motivate you to work on it and complete it.


Stress can also help you to put in your very best effort. For example, if one is afraid of losing his job, stress may encourage him to raise his own standards and make improvements he most likely would not have made without the threat of unemployment.


Certain stress such as the Eustress, is a stress that is healthy, or gives one a feeling of fulfillment or other positive feelings. Some examples of eustress is:
* Meeting or engaging in a challenge.
* Coming in first place in a race.
* Getting a promotion at your job.
* Watching a suspenseful or horror movie.
* Love, marriage, or childbirth.
* Riding a roller-coaster.
* The holidays.
* Purchasing something, such as a new car.



Disadvantages of stress
Stress is a disadvantage because it can cause damage to one's physical and mental health.Also, it can be a factor in poor decision making because under stress we may not think logically or consider the consequences of the choices we make.


Some of the "bad" stress are:
Workplace stress - It is the harmful physical and emotional response that occurs when there is a poor match between job demands and the capabilities, resources, or needs of the worker


Chronic stress - It is the response of the brain to unpleasant events for a prolonged period over which an individual perceives it has no control.


Examples of such damage are:
Depression,
anxiety,
tension,
fatigue,
aggression,
concentration and memory problems,
poor work performance,
or in extreme cases, death.


- Adrian

There Are Always Ways to Deal with Stress

You can find ways to deal with stress. That's good news! Are you willing to try?

Here you learn about stress relief techniques that can fit into your everyday life and will help you reduce the stress you're living with.

There are as many stress techniques as there are days in a year, and more. Most are free. Some of them aren't really "techniques" at all. They are basic to life. Things like proper nutrition, sleep and exercise. For some of us, just getting these areas of our lives in order can do much to lesson or stress.

Others are simple activities you can fit into your normal day, involving breathing, relaxing and the way you think. Some (like yoga) require a time commitment. In addition, you may want to seek out stress management clinics or professional help available in your area.

-Jacky

Definition of stress
Researchers define stress as a physical, mental, or emotional response to events that causes bodily or mental tension. Simply put, stress is any outside force or event that has an effect on our body or mind.
The different types of stress

Eustress
Eustress is a type of short-term stress that provides immediate strength. Eustress arises at points of increased physical activity, enthusiasm, and creativity. Eustress is a positive stress that arises when motivation and inspiration are needed. A gymnast experiences eustress before a competition.

Distress
Distress is a negative stress brought about by constant readjustments or alterations in a routine. Distress creates feelings of discomfort and unfamiliarity. There are two types of distress. Acute stress is an intense stress that arrives and disappears quickly. Chronic stress is a prolonged stress that exists for weeks, months, or even years. Someone who is constantly relocating or changing jobs may experience distress.

Hyperstress
Hyperstress occurs when an individual is pushed beyond what he or she can handle. Hyperstress results from being overloaded or overworked. When someone is hyperstressed, even little things can trigger a strong emotional response. A Wall Street trader is likely to experience hyperstress.

Hypostress
Hypostress is the opposite of hyperstress. Hypostress occurs when an individual is bored or unchallenged. People who experience hypostress are often restless and uninspired. A factory worker who performs repetitive tasks might experience hypostress.