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any people think of stressas
another word for tension or
pressure.Actually, stressis just the way
you respond to change. Understanding
stressand its effectscan help you use it
to your own advantageand turn potential "stressors"into positive challenges.
The Mechanics of Stress
The Effects of Stress
Stressis defined as a responseb1'your body to any
demand made upon it. Your body respondsto stress
in many ways. Hormones such as adrenalin surge.
Your heartbeatand blood pressureincrease.Your
blood sugarrises.TheseetTects,
unchanged for thousandsof years,helped prehistorichumans survive
by enabling them to run away fasteror tight harder,
which is why we otlen call this reaction to stressthe
Your body can't tell the differencebetween a
positive or negativestressor.In either case,your
body experiencesthe sarnestresseffects.If you're
not able to let off steamand relax, these effectscan
be harmful. You may feel tired, depressedor anxious. You may experiencephysical symptoms such
as a clenchedjaw or a backache.During periodsof
stress,take careof yourselfby getting plenty of rest,
eating healthily, exercisingand relaxing without
alcohol or drugs.Help your body recover from all
stress,even when you feel satisfiedor excited,to
protect your health.
, , f j < r ht n r f l i c r h t " r p s n n n s e
Positive & Negative
Most people think of stressors,
or things that cause
stress,as negative,such as traffic, a difficult iob or
divorce. Many people are awareof tensemuscles,
headachesor stomach achesduring, before or after
such situations.
B u t s t r e s \ O rc\ a n a l s ob e p o s i t i v ee x p c r i e n c e \ .
I{aving a baby, bowling a perfect 300 game or
completing a satisfyingproiect are all changes
that can activate your stressresponse.
Use Stress to Your Advantage
Stressis like body temperature:If it's too lou, or too
high, you can't survive,but the right balancecan
keepyou going strong.It makessenseto use stress
energypositivelyto meet life's challenges,experiencesand goals.Stressisn't all bad. ln fact, positive
stresscan make life both rich and satisfvinq.
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Contact Your Employee Assistance Program
Outcomes, Inc. (505)243-71.45or '.-A00-677-2947