Stress Is Not A Normal Body Function!

I was reading an article that stated that stress is the body’s natural reaction to things that require a response or adjustment.  I disagree.  In my opinion, stress is not the body’s reaction but our reaction to the situation.  The fight or flight response is not stress, it is a physiological reaction to the situation.  How we deal with that situation is what causes stress.

I do agree with the author that stress is caused by our thoughts and that it can lead to loss of sleep, body aches, fatigue and other physical ailments.  Stress comes about because of the way we choose to deal with the events that happen in our lives.  Dealing with these events in an improper manner causes all the ailments that are called stress.

Our bodies react physically, emotially and mentally to external situations but as soon as the situation is under control, we go back to normal living.  It is when we face continuous ongoing situations that we experience stress.  Instead of having a letdown in which our heart rate subsides, our breathing slows and the adrenalin that has been dumped into our system dissipates, we stay at an elevated level of alertness which is what is called stress.

We were not designed to be eternally on the go and continuously challenged all day long with no letup.  This leads to stress and can only be dealt with by doing things that allow our bodies and minds to slow down and relax.  Sometimes we can’t just allow this to happen, we must make it happen if we are to survive.  Just like someone on drugs, we can’t live long on a constant high.

I have found that the suggestions to exercise or relax are very helpful in combating stress.  If I can take my mind off of things around me for short periods of time then I am more effective when I return to my scheduled activities.

I’ve been trying to schedule hourly “smoke break equivalents” so I can return to my tasks refreshed and revitalized and accomplish more.  It doesn’t always happen, but when I can manage it things work out very well.

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