Results of Coping with Stress Incorrectly
Almost everybody is used to reacting to negative Stress automatically. Unfortunately, by definition, automatic reactions worsen Stress. Here are some examples. Many people tend to suppress Stress. We keep our feelings hidden, do not say what we really think, do as if nothing is the matter and bottle up everything. This way of dealing with Stress often leads to tensions, irritations, and harmful feelings. We keep going on and do not really let go of the 'fight-flight' reaction. The Stress hormones keep on having their way. If we keep this up long enough and do not relieve the tension, we will often see that we will get chronically irritated, tense, or agitated. All these tensions often lead to yet other complaints or illnesses (insomnia, pain in the back, heart complaints etc.), and these complaints turn to new Stressors. We have ended up in a vicious circle!
Another method of coping with Stress is really getting active. Whenever you are busy, you are not confronted with your problems. New problems often quickly reveal themselves as a result of ostrich-policy (e.g. time Stress, perfectionism, not being able to rest). Drugs, narcotics, alcohol, sugar, and cigarettes are also frequently used for instant relief of Stress. The problem, however, is that this way of relaxation is often temporary. These products sometimes have side effects and in some cases, you can get dependent on them. Moreover, a dependence on chemical substances often leads to disturbed observation and an undermining of our motivation to deal with problems in a healthier way. Being in a prolonged state of agitation sometimes also leads to irritated reactions on the wrong moments which can often lead to a negative change in our relationships. We often see that in particular, short term solutions are chosen and therefore the real problems or solutions are left for the future. The Stress yet again creates new Stressors and we end up in a vicious circle again and again. By nature, our physical reserves against Stress are particularly large and it seems that we can cope with anything. But when, in the long run, we react unconsciously to Stress again and again, and there is a great chance that sooner or later, the reserves will be exhausted. More often, we find ourselves in a form of the fight or flight reaction and have created new Stressors. Before you know it, you are chronically ultra-stimulated. The consequences often express themselves differently for everyone. For some, the complaints will be more mental and for others more of a physical nature or a combination of both. What gives in first depends on the genes, surroundings, and particularities of your lifestyle. In general, the weakest link will give the first problems.
Symptoms of prolonged Stress on our mental condition are for instance concentration problems, increase of forgetfulness, sensitiveness (e.g. quickly moved, being happy or disappointed, quick tempered) indecisiveness, feeble-mindedness, sleeping problems, compulsiveness, being less accurate, listlessness, cynicism, postponing, reacting against people, situations and things, indifference at work and in private situations, irritability, feelings of inferiority, decreased physical condition and sexual problems. 'Happy-feeling' hormones, such as endorphines, decrease as a result of which depressions occur more often and we become more susceptible to addiction.
Physical Effects of Stress
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Immediate physical effects of Stress are tension headaches, digestive disorders, superficial breathing, sweaty hands, ultra-stimulation and tensed shoulders, neck, and jaw. When the tension continues for a longer period of time, this can lead to neck and back trouble, ulcers, concentration problems, loss of memory, heart complaints, blood pressure problems, rise in cholesterol level, sexual dysfunction, inflammations, weakened immune system, increased chance of cancer, influenza, colds, and injuries, pancreas dysfunction, disturbed metabolism , sleep disorders, and chronic fatigue syndrome.
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