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We all live incredibly busy lives. For many of us from the moment, we wake up to the moment our heads touch our pillows we are swamped with work. Large amounts of work can cause, over a prolonged period of time, major amounts of stress. And although maintaining a busy schedule and being productive is a great thing, we must also consider the negative effects that stress can have, not only on our mental health but on our physical health as well. Not only that but we must learn how to properly handle our stress.
What Causes Stress
For the eighth year in a row, money and work have been named the leading cause of stress in America. Although most high school students don’t have to worry about money or work we do have the teenage equivalent: School. For many teens, schoolwork and the pressure of parental expectation are the number one cause of stress. Not only that but things such as their social life, their extracurriculars, and even their home life can all contribute to such high-stress levels.
Effects on the Mind
It is important to mention that not all stress is inherently bad. As a matter of fact, stress can help us get stuff done as well as keep us safe in situations involving danger. Stress is simply your body’s reaction to a challenge. That being said, exposure to long term stress (or sometimes referred to as chronic stress) can be detrimental to our mental health. Studies show that chronic stress can lead to anxiety and depression and extreme short term stress can cause PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder). Stress has also been shown to affect memory retention, which is why after suffering a traumatic experience people sometimes cannot recall everything.
Effects on the Body
Stress can also affect how you physically feel. Stress has been tied to headaches, insomnia, heartburn, low and high blood pressure, and even immunological health. Because stress causes the rise and fall of hormone levels it is possible that stress can affect us physically. For instance, exposure to chronic stress can make someone more susceptible to certain illnesses and can even affect recovery time. Stress can also cause digestive and respiratory problems.
How Can We Deal with Stress?
There are many things that we can learn to cope without stress in a healthy way. For example, studies have shown exercise is a great way to reduce stress levels, not only that but it can help keep you healthy and in shape. Meditation and yoga have also been proven effective when it comes to reducing stress levels. Carving out time in our schedule to simply relax is another important tool. Sleeping enough, going on vacation, and even getting a pet can all help us deal with our stress in a healthy and efficient way. We must remember that stress is an important part of our lives and can sometimes even help us out, but we must also remember to not let it rule our lives.