Stress is something that we all have to deal with. There is no one in this world that stress has not affected in some way, shape, or form. So what exactly is “stress”? Stress is a state of emotional or mental pressure resulting from very challenging situations. Essentially, stress is a strain caused by difficult situations. Stress can be caused by many things: work, family issues, responsibilities, illnesses, etc., all can cause stress. Below is an infographic of the different stresses that are experienced by the students of WCHS.

Warning Signs of Stress

There are many, many signs of stress. It all depends on how stressed someone is. For people that are more stressed, the signs will be harsher and more obvious, and vice versa.

Symptoms include:

1. Dizziness 
2. General aches and pains
3. Clenched jaw
4. Headaches
5. Indigestion and loss of appetite
6. Sleeping problems
7. Racing heart
8. Cold and sweaty palms
9. Tiredness or exhaustion
10. Trembling/shaking
11. Weight gain/loss
12. Lack of energy or focus
13. Use of alcohol or drugs to relax
14. Frequent sicknesses
15. Panic attacks
16. Excess anxiety
17. Increased anger and frustration
18. Depression or suicidal thoughts
19. Frequent or wild mood swings
20. Feeling overloaded
21. Feelings of loneliness or worthlessness
22. Obsessive or compulsive behavior (more info on this below)

Stress and Health

Stress is linked to the 6 leading causes of death: heart disease, cancer, lung ailments, accidents, cirrhosis of the liver, and suicide.

Tips on Reducing Stress

When stressed, it is vital to relieve the stress. Below are some ideas on how to deal with stress.

1. Keep a positive attitude
2. Accept things the way they are
3. Relaxation techniques
4. Exercise
5. Eat healthily
6. Learn time management
7. Learn how to say no to things
8. Make time for hobbies and interests
9. Get enough rest and sleep
10. Spend time with loved ones
11. Talk about it
12. Set goals and priorities
13. Keep a sense of humor
14. Avoid tobacco use, excess caffeine and alcohol, and the use of illegal substances.

Compulsive Behavior

Compulsive behavior is consistently doing things even though they result in negative outcomes. For example, things such as constantly eating; using alcohol, tobacco, and drugs; shopping; etc. 

Stress becomes harmful when people start doing these things to try to relieve their stress. Instead of reducing the stress and relaxing the person, compulsive behaviors tend to keep the body in a stressed state and cause more problems. The stressed person relies more and more on the compulsive behavior.

Overall, these compulsive and inactive ways to relieve stress might seem relaxing or stress-relieving, but they might increase your stress levels in the long run.

When to Get Help

If you’ve tried to relieve your stress but the symptoms continue, it may be time to see a doctor about it. They may want to check for other possible causes. If you know for sure that it is stress, you may want to look into counseling or therapy that will help you cope with your stress. Remember, stress affects everyone, so you’re not alone!