CICICAN MEDICAL NEWS CENTER

The American Medical Association stated that stress was the cause of 80 to 85 percent of all human illness and disease. Furthermore, every week 95 million Americans suffer some kind of stress related symptom for which they take medication. Whilst the American Psychological Association and the American Institute of Stress state that stress levels are deeply affected by work in 62% of all Americans. Figures like this are quite shocking. On a personal level you may know family and work colleagues who have had to take early retirement or go on long term sick leave due to work related stress.

It is difficult to avoid stress and when you face undue pressure and demands at work, life can become totally miserable. Stress wears you down and reduces your ability to do your work properly. In the long run, for your own personal health and wellbeing and the productivity of your company it is essential you find a way to handle stress at work. One you should not forget is to look after your health. The healthier you are, the easier it is for your body to remain strong and emotionally resilient. Choose one aspect of your health which causes you concern, maybe your diet can be improved, or you can exercise more, or even go to bed earlier. Learn how to manage your time and complete tasks on time makes a huge difference to how you feel about your work load. Search online for time management courses, or ask your employees about the possibility of training. The more productive you are, the more your organisation benefits.

Stress kills. Its potentially fatal effect on the heart is well documented. But new research suggests that it is probably the reason for everything from decaying gums to common colds. An article in Observer, the monthly magazine of the Association for Psychological Science, cites new research across psychology, medicine, neuroscience and genetics to conclude that stress is at the root of a whole range of health problems.

Stress encompasses the strains experienced by living organisms in their struggles to adapt and cope with changing environments.

When danger is perceived, a chain reaction of signals releases hormones like epinephrine (“adrenaline”), norepinephrine and cortisol from the adrenal glands. These hormones kick up the heart rate, increase respiration, and up the glucose levels in the blood – enabling the “fight or flight” reaction.

As these responses take a lot of energy, cortisol tells other physical processes – including digestion, reproduction, physical growth and some aspects of the immune system – to shut or slow down. (more…)