Stress

You come home from work feeling as though you have been run through the spin

cycle of your washing machine. You can't wait to take off your shoes and pour

yourself a (stiff ) cool drink.

Stress!

Everybody knows what stress is. Stress is an integral part of our urban

lifestyle. It has become a normal part of life, although it is generally known

that stress is bad for health. But, doesn't stress also have advantages? Is

stress the same as burden?

What is stress?

First of all we want to make clear what exactly stress is. The body's adaptive

response to abnormal circumstances (like threats or demands) from a new or

changing situation is called stress. The term "stress" refers both to certain

heightened mental and body states and to the causes of such states.

Nowadays the symptoms of stress are well known. When the human body is under

stress (whether it is real or imaginary) Adrenaline is poured into the

bloodstream. As a result of that the pulse quickens, the blood pressure raises

and the muscle tension increases. Furthermore you may feel more criticised by

others, become more pessimistic, cynical, or resentful than usual. Things you

normally look forward to may seem like a burden.

A lot of people are not aware of being under stress. Some are frequently under

so much stress that they assume the feeling is normal.

Pros

By hearing the word "stress" most people think of something unpleasant and bad.

But that is only conditionally true. Stress has also several positive aspects:

- A lot of people (students!) take stress as a replacement for self-discipline.

They just can't start working without time-pressure. They need to know a

certain date when they must finish their work.. (like students before a test)

- It is known, that people work better, faster and more effective under stress.

There are people, who are even more creative under stress! This is because of

the height Adrenaline content into your bloodstream.

- Stress is said to be the best sport doping (Adrenaline). During a sport

activity, Stress encourages and raises the attention / strength. Under stress

the human body is able to do better to do better physical achievements.

Last but not least, some producers of stress (such as physical exercise,

various emotional states, and creative activity) are usually very healthy! But

be careful, continuous high levels