Stress Overview  
by Karen L. Scheel

With the fast pace of the world stress has become unavoidable in our lives and is the source of many problems. Various studies have revealed that stress can seriously compromise the mental, emotional and physical health of an individual. It clouds our ability to think clearly, interferes with our ability to relate to others and lowers the function of our immune system. If left uncontrolled stress is a contributing factor to most all health problems from heart disease, strokes, cancer, headaches, colds etc. The cause of stress can either stem internally or externally. 

On an external level, technology has become a major stress factor in that it gives us the ability to achieve everything very quickly. On an internal level, we in turn seem to be constantly pushing to do even more, which contributes to a very hectic way of life, because we can not keep up with the fast pace of technology. With so many demands being placed upon our limited time stress has become the primary cause affecting efficiency and effectiveness in all aspects of our being. It impacts both our professional and personal performance on all levels. In the workplace, stress is one of the major reasons for the the use of sick time. 

If stress contributes to illness then reducing stress would have the opposite effect and even encourage healing. Being able to recognize that we are stressed is the first step toward understanding, managing and appropriately reducing its effects. Learning how to condition ourselves and gain some control over the influence of stress is the most important step we can take towards reducing it. 

Studies have also shown that regular relaxation eventually makes the body less responsive to stress hormones and acts as a natural tranquilizer. Handling stress effectively involves the development of  psychological, physical and spiritual buffers that harmonize the effects of stress. This can be easily accomplished through a variety of therapeutic approaches. Individuals can learn how to evoke a physiological response that strengthens their immune system and achieve beneficial internal results that reduce and reverse stress-related diseases. There are many self-help techniques such as breathing exercises, visualization, meditation, yoga and tai-chi  These practices encourage an individual to focus on the mind/body connection, which enables one to take control and learn how to cope with stress rather than trying to avoid or ignore it. 

If the present circumstances in our society are any indication of the future then it is only through a daily stress management regime that individuals will be able to meet and successfully deal with the challenges that life is bound to present. Incorporating a daily stress management practice is rapidly becoming a necessary ingredient for a qualified life. Taking mental time-out from the seeming pressure and demands enables us to establish more of a balance between our internal and external worlds. Therefore, reducing and/or eliminating stress requires nothing more than learning how to create and maintain this balance.

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