Stress:

Stress is a very common emotional state in today’s world due to the inescapable pressures and expectations that we, as well as others, place upon ourselves. There is eustress, (which is the good kind of stress when good things happen to us) and distress (the negative, harmful kind of stress). It includes feelings that we cannot keep up, or maintain control of our emotional or bodily functions. Signs of stress include difficulty sleeping, gastrointestinal problems, headaches, trouble concentrating, depression, fatigue, irritability, and other physiological problems. Chronic stress can lead to immune suppression and serious disease. Since it is impossible to eliminate all stress, learning how to manage stress is essential for everyone. I feel there is no “cookbook” approach to managing stress. Learning how to recognize potentially stressful situations and our own body’s unique early warning signs of stress is the first step in successfully defending ourselves from stress.