America’s Number 1 Health Problem: Stress In The Young And The Old

Stress has been in the news as a health epidemic since the early eighties.  The situation continues to worsen as workers report they have at least one day a week with extreme stress on the job and most of them report two or more such days.  Job stress is the leading source of stress for American adults.  Stress levels have also risen for children and teenagers.  Some have linked this stress with loss of family and religious values, isolation, no other forms of social support, and corporate greed.

Stress today is more dangerous than it was a decade ago.  Stress today seems to be more widespread, more invasive and more deadly than ever.  Stress in today’s culture tends to be more psychological that physical threats.  Stress contributes to a rise in blood pressure, heart rate, and increases blood flow.  Blood sugar levels rise to give the body the extra fuel it needs to fight stress.  Our body was designed to move blood away from the stomach when under stress to provide extra strength for the arms and legs.  This extra strength is used for the “flight or fight” response that our bodies have.  Our blood clots faster in preparation for any wounds we might have during combat or a stressful encounter.

When these physical changes occur on a regular basis it is logical that a continued level of stress can cause many physical problems.  Our bodies still react with the “flight or fight” mode and will respond in the same way whether it is a physical threat from an angry co-worker or an implied threat to your health or peace of mind.

Stress contributes to an impaired immune system that cannot shake off viral disorders from the common cold to AIDS or cancer.  Stress contributes to anxiety, and chronic depression associated with discrimination, depression, and frustration.  Stress contributes to gastrointestinal problems, causes skin problems, and disrupts the work of other major organs.

Stress related to a work environment directly influences loss of productivity and employee absenteeism.  The business climate gets progressively worse with competition at an all-time high.  The pressure placed on workers to produce, time management stress, and the constant worry about your job situation can cause hypertension, stroke, diabetes, ulcers, heart attacks, and neck and back pain.

Stress may come from sitting at a computer monitor for seven hours a day or more, meeting quotas, or having someone checking on you constantly can cause stress, depression, physical ailments which all result in lost work time.

Taking the steps to manage the stress you have in your life may be the nicest gift you can give yourself and your family.  Just a few changes can make a big difference in how you handle stress.  Even taking 20 minutes out of your day to walk will reduce your stress level.  Talking to other people, prayer and meditation, and eating a healthier diet may reduce your stress to a level you are able to manage.  Take the time to learn methods of relaxation.  Exercise, prayer, deep breathing, and exercise are just a few of the ways you can reduce your stress level.