Stress! The idea stirs up many images -- rushing to work, watching the stock market drop daily, seeing a hail storm wipe out a newly emerging crop, working long into the night on a project. All of these situations can build up irritation and fatigue that dare not show at an important meeting. Stress in such situations means pressure, conflict, loss of control, and uncertainty. These feelings can lead to a variety of problems for all members of a family. That is why stress has such an ugly ring.

What Is Stress?

Stress is your body's physical and psychological response to anything you perceive as overwhelming. This may be viewed as a result of life's demands, pleasant or unpleasant, and your lack of resources to meet them.

When stressed, your body creates extra energy to protect itself. This additional energy cannot be destroyed. If not used, it creates an imbalance within your system. Somehow the energy must be channeled into responses to regain a balance.

Stress is a natural part of your life. Without some stress you would lose your energy for living. You will thrive on certain amounts; but too much or too little stress will limit your effectiveness. Ideally, you find your optimal level of stress-the balance at which you are most motivated. This home study program is designed to help you do that.

Why Be Concerned About Stress?

Excessive stress in your life interferes with your interpersonal relationships at home, on the job, and socially. It can make you spend your efforts on not being unhappy, rather than on being happy. Stress can waste your vitality and deplete your personal energy resources that could be used for enjoyment. You can become negatively influenced in your attitudes and feelings about yourself more easily. In addition, medical research estimates as much as 90 percent of illness and disease is stress-related. Stress can interfere with your physical functioning and bodily processes. High blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, and heart disease have been linked to stress factors. Other stress-related ailments include ulcers, allergies, asthma, and migraine headaches. Most health professionals agree stress can be a contributing factor in making existing medical problems worse.

Environmental and societal pressures-our competitive, success-oriented way of life-may lead us to potentially hazardous health. According to the United States Center for Disease Control in Atlanta, Georgia, "Eighty-three percent of all deaths for adults between the age of 21 and 65 are related to lifestyle." Unmanaged stress is increasingly a characteristic of many Americans today.
   
For information and tips on recognizing and managing stress click here.