Stress Factors

A well balanced life can be compared to the three sides of a triangle. The three sides are of equal length and importance and consist of a mental, physical and social side. If all of these are in balance, we enjoy good health and experience a sense of wellbeing.

It is crucial that we make the daily practice of stress management and relaxation a priority in our busy lives. Stress management is just as, or even more important, than the financial and material wellbeing of ourselves, our families and our communities.

It ensures physical, emotional, mental and spiritual health. If we’re burnt out, exhausted and ill from too much stress, we won’t be able to enjoy the fruits of our labours or the interaction with our families and friends.

It has physical, mental and emotional effects on us and can create positive or negative feelings. As a positive influence, stress can compel us to action. It can result in a new lease on life and an enthusiastic creative approach to our work and environment, enabling us to enjoy life intensely. As a negative influence, it can result in feelings of fatigue, distrust, resentment, bitterness, rejection, anger, and depression, which in turn can lead to health problems such as headaches, upset stomach, ulcers, skin rashes, insomnia, high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, cancer and stroke.

With the death of a loved one, a move to a new environment, the birth of a child, a job promotion or a new relationship, we experience stress as we learn to readjust and manage our lives. In so adjusting to different circumstances, stress will help or hinder us depending on how we react to it. Stress helps us to adapt to change - the only constant in life!

The stress response isn't all bad. When functioning properly, it is very good for you. Problems develop when your stress response overreacts or keeps acting when it's no longer needed. The deciding factor lies in your ability to handle it.