essay on stress in daily life

Essay on Stress Management

500 words essay on stress management.

Stress is a very complex phenomenon that we can define in several ways. However, if you put them together, it is basically the wear and tear of daily life. Stress management refers to a wide spectrum of techniques and psychotherapies for controlling a person’s stress level, especially chronic stress . If there is effective stress management, we can help one another break the hold of stress on our lives. The essay on stress management will throw light on the very same thing.

Identifying the Source of Stress

The first step of stress management is identifying the source of stress in your life. It is not as easy as that but it is essential. The true source of stress may not always be evident as we tend to overlook our own stress-inducing thoughts and feelings.

For instance, you might constantly worry about meeting your deadline. But, in reality, maybe your procrastination is what leads to this stress than the actual deadline. In order to identify the source of stress, we must look closely within ourselves.

If you explain away stress as temporary, then it may be a problem. Like if you yourself don’t take a breather from time to time, what is the point? On the other hand, is stress an integral part of your work and you acknowledging it like that?

If you make it a part of your personality, like you label things as crazy or nervous energy, you need to look further. Most importantly, do you blame the stress on people around you or the events surrounding you?

It is essential to take responsibility for the role one plays in creating or maintaining stress. Your stress will remain outside your control if you do not do it.

Strategies for Stress Management

It is obvious that we cannot avoid all kinds of stress but there are many stressors in your life which you can definitely eliminate. It is important to learn how to say no and stick to them.  Try to avoid people who stress you out.

Further, if you cannot avoid a stressful situation, try altering it. Express your feelings don’t bottle them up and manage your time better. Moreover, you can also adapt to the stressor if you can’t change it.

Reframe problems and look at the big picture. Similarly, adjust your standards and focus on the positive side. Never try to control the uncontrollable. Most importantly, make time for having fun and relaxing.

Spend some time with nature, go for a walk or call a friend, whatever pleases you.  You can also try working out, listening to music and more. As long as it makes you happy, never give up.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

Conclusion of the Essay on Stress Management

All in all, we can control our stress levels with relaxation techniques that evoke the relaxation response of our body. It is the state of restfulness that is the opposite of the stress response. Thus, when you practice these techniques regularly, you can build your resilience and heal yourself.

FAQ of Essay on Stress Management

Question 1: What is the importance of stress management?

Answer 1: Stress management is very efficient as it helps in breaking the hold which stress has on our lives. Moreover, you can also become happy, healthy and more productive because of it. The ultimate goal should be to live a balanced life and have the resilience to hold up under pressure.

Question 2: Give some stress management techniques.

Answer 2: There are many stress management techniques through which one can reduce stress in their lives. One can change their situation or their reaction to it. We can try by altering the situation. If not, we can change our attitudes towards it. Remember, accept things that you cannot change.

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Essay on Stress In Life

Students are often asked to write an essay on Stress In Life in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Stress In Life

What is stress.

Stress is when you feel under too much pressure from something in your life. It’s like carrying a very heavy backpack that makes you tired and unhappy. Everyone, from kids to adults, can feel stressed at times.

Causes of Stress

Stress can come from many places. School work, problems with friends, and even family issues can make you feel stressed. It’s like having too many tasks to do and not enough time to do them.

Effects of Stress

When you’re stressed, you might feel sad, angry, or even get headaches. It’s like your body’s way of telling you it’s not happy with what’s going on.

Dealing with Stress

To deal with stress, you can talk to someone you trust, take breaks, or do things you enjoy. It’s like putting down the heavy backpack for a while to rest and feel better.

250 Words Essay on Stress In Life

Stress is when you feel worried or uncomfortable because of too much pressure or problems in life. Imagine you have a big test coming up, and you are scared about how well you will do. That feeling of being scared or worried is stress. Everyone, from kids to adults, experiences stress at some point in their lives.

There are many reasons why people feel stressed. For kids and teenagers, homework, exams, and busy schedules can be stressful. For adults, work, taking care of their family, or money problems might cause stress. Sometimes, even small things like losing your keys can make you feel stressed.

Stress can affect your body and your feelings. You might get headaches, feel tired, or have trouble sleeping. It can also make you feel sad, angry, or frustrated. If stress lasts for a long time, it can make it hard to concentrate or enjoy life.

The good news is that there are ways to deal with stress. Talking to someone you trust about your feelings can help a lot. Taking breaks, playing, and doing things you enjoy can also reduce stress. Learning how to manage your time and not taking on too much can prevent stress from building up.

In conclusion, stress is a normal part of life, but it’s important to learn how to handle it. By understanding what causes stress and knowing how to deal with it, you can feel better and enjoy life more.

500 Words Essay on Stress In Life

Stress and its impact on our lives.

Stress is a natural reaction of the body to challenges and demands. It can come from anything that disrupts our physical or mental balance. While stress can be helpful in some situations, such as when it motivates us to study for an exam or meet a deadline, chronic stress can have negative effects on our health and well-being.

There are many potential causes of stress, including:

1. Work and School: Work and school can be major sources of stress, especially when we feel overwhelmed by our responsibilities or have difficulty meeting expectations. 2. Relationships: Problems with family, friends, or romantic partners can be a significant source of stress. 3. Financial Problems: Money worries can be very stressful, especially when we are struggling to make ends meet. 4. Health Problems: Dealing with a serious illness or injury can be incredibly stressful, both for the person affected and for their loved ones. 5. Major Life Changes: Life transitions, such as moving, getting married, or having a baby, can be exciting but also stressful.

Chronic stress can have a wide range of negative effects on our health and well-being, including:

1. Physical Health: Stress can lead to a variety of physical health problems, such as headaches, stomach problems, heart disease, and weight gain. 2. Mental Health: Stress can also contribute to mental health problems, such as anxiety, depression, and insomnia. 3. Cognitive Function: Stress can impair our ability to concentrate, remember, and make decisions. 4. Behavior: Stress can lead to unhealthy behaviors, such as smoking, drinking alcohol, or overeating. 5. Relationships: Stress can also strain our relationships with family, friends, and colleagues.

Managing Stress

There are many things we can do to help manage stress, including:

1. Exercise: Regular physical activity can help reduce stress levels and improve our mood. 2. Relaxation Techniques: Practices such as deep breathing, meditation, and yoga can help us relax and reduce stress. 3. Healthy Diet: Eating a balanced diet can help us maintain our energy levels and cope with stress better. 4. Adequate Sleep: Getting enough sleep is essential for both physical and mental health and can help us better manage stress. 5. Time Management: Learning to manage our time effectively can help us avoid feeling overwhelmed and reduce stress. 6. Social Support: Talking to friends, family, or a therapist can help us process our feelings and cope with stress.

Stress is a normal part of life, but chronic stress can have negative effects on our health and well-being. By understanding the causes and effects of stress and learning to manage it effectively, we can improve our overall health and well-being.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

• Essay on Stress Impact On Health
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How to Deal With Stress in Everyday Life

Here are some practical and simple tips..

Posted March 30, 2021 | Reviewed by Davia Sills

• Self-compassion and self-care are very important but frequently forgotten during difficult times.
• Practicing gratitude helps with mental uplifting.
• As little as several minutes of exercising and meditating in the morning will help in getting through the day.

Times are difficult now, no doubt about it. We have no influence over the course of the pandemic other than protecting ourselves and others by following the official guidance (vaccination, masks, social distancing). But it is totally up to us how we react to these difficult and frustrating situations. I love what Rev. Devon Franklin once said: “Every day above ground is a great day.” I have to remind myself about it frequently when I feel overwhelmed.

Our lives have changed forever. We are very lucky if we did not get sick with COVID and did not lose loved ones, relatives, or friends, jobs, income, or housing. Everything seems to take more time than before the pandemic, and it is difficult to be cool and keep our internal peace. However, there are small things that you can do every day to keep your spirits up. First of all, be good to yourself, because if you don’t, who will?

How to Start a Day

It is good to start a day with something nice, like a cup of warm, good coffee with real honey from a neighborhood’s beekeeper. It tastes just great! Take time for yourself in the morning. Do something nice for yourself.

Find out what will bring a smile to your face at the beginning of your day. If you live in a mild climate, drink your warm coffee outside and look at the beautiful nature around you. If it is too cold to be outside, sit by the window that has your favorite view. For me, it is a view of my garden, still surviving in the winter, but it can be anything that brings some peace and joy to your heart.

For example, look at the picture above, which I took in my garden last fall. A honey bee on a cosmos flower. It just provides a “cheering up” moment and a reminder that warm and sunny days will come again soon.

If your energy is low during the day, and you feel like it takes an extra effort to get started on anything, try to do some exercising in the morning. It can be as little as 10-15 minutes. It will give you the energy you need to go through the day. It will also lift up your mood by pumping the “feel-good” neurotransmitters in your brain.

Have a good and nutritious breakfast to nourish your body. If you have time, do some meditation to calm your mind and to relax your body.

You can also have a little walk after breakfast. Walking is very good for your brain (more info on that subject is in my book, How My Brain Works ). Now you are ready to face the tasks for that day. Energized and calm internally, it will be easier to complete these tasks than you previously thought.

If something during the day upsets you a lot and starts interfering with your tasks, take a moment to ponder if it will be important five years from now. If not, try to put it in the back of your mind. In my book, I give examples of some mental exercises that help deal with disturbing thoughts. If something will be important five years from now, try to find out how you can get help with it.

If you are depressed and very anxious , please try to find professional help. All insurances, including Medicaid and Medicare, are paying for online and telephone counseling. Use these services to help yourself.

At the end of the day, take a moment to think about all the good things that happened during the day, even the smallest one (i.e., the sun came up for a moment in the middle of a day), and be grateful for them. When you prepare to go to sleep, concentrate on the small, positive things that happened. If you had a very difficult day, remind yourself of what Scarlet O’Hara said, “Tomorrow is another day, Scarlet.”

Copyright by Dr. Barbara Koltuska-Haskin

Barbara Koltuska-Haskin, Ph.D., is a neuropsychologist in Albuquerque, New Mexico and the author of How My Brain Works.

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Essays About Stress: 5 Examples and 7 Helpful Prompts

Stress deals with various sensitive matters and is a popular topic. See our top examples of essays about stress and prompts to assist in your writing.

Stress is a poison that gradually affects a person’s mental and physical health. It’s a common problem in all aspects of life, with money being the top stressor. There’s also a spectrum of stress, but chronic stress is the most dangerous of all types and levels. It can lead to health problems such as high blood pressure, anxiety disorders, heart disease, and more.

5 Essay Examples 

1. post-traumatic stress disorder and substance use disorders by anonymous on ivypanda.com, 2. coping up with stress by anonymous on gradesfixer.com, 3. stress management: how stress can cause mental illness and how to treat it by anonymous on papersowl.com, 4. assessing the personal stress levels by anonymous on ivypanda.com, 5. sources of stress in youths by anonymous on gradesfixer.com, 1. what is stress, 2. good stress vs. bad stress, 3. how stress can affect our daily lives, 4. the impact of stress on children, 5. what is financial stress, 6. the importance of stress management, 7. stress and health problems.

“…the self-medication hypothesis… is supportive to healthcare as it offers a clear pathway to sufferers from existing addiction, which, in turn, enhances the bond between specialists and victims, it improves access to dosages, and it may also decrease the cost of a prescribed drug.”

In this essay, the writer investigates the leading causes of stress and substance abuse resulting from a disorder. They note that stress, anxiety, and depression often develop after divorce, widowhood, disasters, and other traumatic events. 

To show the relationship between post-traumatic stress disorder and substance use, the author adds statistics and situations in which people who have gone through a separation or sexual abuse utilize self-medication, drugs, and alcohol to forget what happened to them. However, this brief escapes lead to addiction. Ultimately, the writer believes that developing stress, anxiety, and depression coping alternatives will reduce the number of people addicted to substances.

Do you want to write about depression? Check out our guide on how to write essays about depression .

“Stress coping and management is essential to have a healthy life. We need to manage stress effectively to avoid the side effects that can arise if not managed effectively. Let’s prioritize on our tasks, manage a healthy lifestyle, have time for fun and for one another, and practice the 4A’s of stress management to have a stress free life.”

This essay shares that stress can be beneficial as it teaches a person to handle difficult situations. However, stress becomes dangerous when it starts to control someone’s life. That’s why it’s vital to manage stress depending on its severity. 

To effectively cope with stress, the author suggests having a balanced diet, exercising regularly, and writing in journals. They also mention the importance of talking to a professional and identifying and avoiding the primary source of stress. 

“When people get stressed out, they try many coping mechanisms, and that usually helps a decent amount, however for some, the stress can be too overwhelming. That being said, stress is seen to have a very significant link to mental illness, more specifically, schizophrenia.”

In this essay, the author contends that stress is the root cause of some mental illnesses like schizophrenia. To support the claim, the author uses a real-life situation and shows the development of the disease, originating from the simple stress of moving and working in the city. 

The essay presents the different levels of schizophrenia and its symptoms. Then, after offering various sources, the author concludes that the most common way to treat stress and schizophrenia is having someone to spend time with and get therapy. You might also be interested in these essays about leadership .

“… A proper assessment of an individual’s stress levels is a critical factor in their well-being. Physiological and psychological aspects of intense pressure should be carefully studied and checked. Using corresponding methods and tools can be of significant help for the person, providing them with a clear understanding of the problems encountered.”

In this essay, the author discusses tools that help assess stress levels and effective strategies for combating stress. They use the “Symptoms of Stress Methodology” from Stress Management for Life: A Research-Based Experiential Approach and the “Ardell Wellness Stress Test” to determine stress levels and evaluate physiological symptoms. These symptoms assist in constructing effective ways to release stress, including participating in PTSD therapies and getting a service dog.

“Early exposure to stress not only affects children’s social and mental development during their formative years, it also can increase the risk of alcoholism, illicit drug use, adult depression, anxiety, and even heart disease much later in life.”

In this essay, the writer proves that stress can affect people of all ages and genders. However, the author focuses on young people and how quickly it appears in their adult life. According to the author, technostress, the fear of missing out, lack of personal space, and high expectations are the common causes of stress in youths. 

The author strongly discourages using drugs, cigarettes, and alcohol to relieve stress. Instead, they recommend reducing stress by taking regular breaks, replacing big life goals with smaller, more attainable goals, being open and sharing problems with others, and getting professional help.

7 Writing Prompts for Essays About Stress

Stress is a person’s emotional response to pressure to meet standards, commitments, and responsibilities. It usually occurs in a situation or an outcome we fail to manage or control. In your essay, explain what stress is all about and why it’s essential to understand this reaction. Use this prompt to help your readers know the early signs of stress. Then, add ways stress can be managed and avoided, so it doesn’t interfere with daily activities.

Although stress is often connected with bad instances, there’s also “good stress,” or eustress. Eustress pertains to a positive response to a stressor. For example, it happens when one is excited or ecstatic. Meanwhile, bad stress, or “distress,” negatively affects your mental and physical well-being. 

Consider using this prompt to compare and contrast the good and bad stress that people usually experience. Then, give real-life examples and suggest how your readers can effectively handle both eustress and distress.

The effects of stress vary in degree and duration. For example, stress can prevent us from functioning properly at work, home, or anywhere else. It can also affect our relationships with others and with ourselves.

To make your essay relatable, share a personal experience on how stress affects your life. You can also interview others in various professions and statuses to demonstrate the range of which stress affects different individuals.

Stress does not only occur among adults or teenagers. Children can also experience stress at a young age. For instance, a child can succumb to the pressure of adapting to a new environment, getting bullied, and sometimes being separated from loved ones. These can lead to anxiety, trust issues, and depression.

Identify and discuss these factors and why it affects young children. Include recent statistics that show the number of children experiencing stress and additional relevant citations to make your essay credible.

The most recent survey found that 65% of Americans worry about money and the economy’s decline. Pick this prompt to make your essay relevant and informative. Delve into what financial stress is and discuss its typical causes and effects. Then, add the latest percentage of people who experience financial stress and address why it’s a pressing issue.

Stress management offers various strategies to battle stress. First, explain to your readers the importance and effectiveness of proper stress management. Then, include proven and tested methods commonly used to treat stress. You can also share the strategies that have worked for you to persuade your readers that stress management is effective.

Stress causes several physical and mental health problems. Use this prompt to show the importance of treating stress before it worsens and affects a person’s welfare. Include research findings from reliable sources and real-life experiences where someone has damaged their health because of stress. If you’re looking for more ideas, check out our essays about bullying topic guide !

Maria Caballero is a freelance writer who has been writing since high school. She believes that to be a writer doesn't only refer to excellent syntax and semantics but also knowing how to weave words together to communicate to any reader effectively.

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What people should know about stress, according to a doctor

Sign up for CNN’s Stress, But Less newsletter.  Our six-part mindfulness guide will inform and inspire you to reduce stress while learning how to harness it .

There is no doubt that stress is a part of everyday life, but too much can have detrimental impacts on people’s physical and mental health.

I wanted to delve more into depth about the health impacts of stress during National Stress Awareness Month. What does stress do to the body? When does it become a problem, and what are some ways to cope with it? And what can people do with stressors such as a hard job or caregiving responsibilities that can’t just go away?

To help us answer these questions, I had a conversation with CNN wellness expert Dr. Leana Wen. Wen is an emergency physician and adjunct associate professor at George Washington University. She previously served as Baltimore’s health commissioner.

CNN: What does stress do to a person’s body?

Dr. Leana Wen: When people experience a perceived threat, a variety of hormones are released that make the heart beat faster and increase blood pressure and blood sugar. These hormones also divert energy away from other parts of the body, such as the immune system and digestive system. These are evolutionary adaptations that once helped people to respond to situations such as predators chasing after them. Such “fight or flight” responses are normal and may be helpful in modern-day life. For instance, they could help an athlete with a faster performance or a student with staying up to study for an exam.

The problem arises when the body’s stress response is continuous. A perpetual state of “fight or flight” could lead to many chronic problems. Individuals could experience anxiety and depression , and other mental health ailments. They could also have headaches, muscle tension, abdominal pain, sleep disturbances, decreased immunity to infections, and problems with memory and concentration . Chronic stress has also been linked to increased likelihoods of high blood pressure, diabetes, heart attack and stroke.

CNN: Everyone experiences stress, so when does it become a problem?

Wen: It’s natural for people to experience stress to discrete stressful events (those that have a clear onset such as the birth of a child, starting of a new job, a divorce or the death of a loved one) that happen in their lives. The problem is when stress becomes a chronic state of being.

Warning signs to look out for include signs or symptoms of mental health concerns or physical manifestations of stress—for instance, if someone starts having new heart palpitations, abdominal pain or headaches. In addition, some people may attempt to cope with stress by using alcohol or drugs. A change in substance use could be a red flag to look for underlying stressors.

People should also ask themselves if stress is negatively affecting their function at home, at work and with their friends. Someone who finds themselves unusually irritable and is lashing out at loved ones and colleagues may also be doing so because of excessive stress.

Related article Asking yourself Socratic questions can calm your irrational thoughts

CNN: Why should we be aware of excessive stress and try to reduce it as a health priority?

Wen: We can think of stress as something in our lives that is modifiable, just like high blood pressure or high blood sugar. The stressor itself may not be able to be changed, just as we cannot change our genetic predisposition to hypertension or diabetes. However, our reaction to it is within our control. And it’s our reaction to the stressor that determines our health outcomes. If stress has detrimental effects on our health, just as high blood pressure and diabetes do, then we can and should look for ways to reduce these effects.

CNN: What are some ways we can cope with stress?

Wen: First, it’s important to clarify that there are good and bad ways to cope with stress. Some people may turn to these not-so-good ways because it may help them feel better in the short-term, but there are real risks. I mentioned drinking alcohol and using drugs—obviously, these are not healthy coping strategies. Neither are binge-eating or smoking.

I think it’s really important to be self-aware. Be honest with yourself: When you have faced stressful situations in the past, have you turned to these unhealthy ways to cope? If so, be on the lookout and work to prevent these behaviors during stressful times.

Also, try to anticipate when there will be stressful situations. Is there a big deadline at work coming up? A family gathering that is likely to elicit negative emotions? A difficult conversation with a loved one? Knowing that a stressful event may occur can help you anticipate your reaction and plan accordingly.

I advise, too, that people make a list of stress relief techniques that have worked for them in the past. And try new techniques. Deep breathing exercises are something everyone can try and help both in the moment of the stressful encounter and after, for example, as is mindfulness meditation .

I’m also a big fan of exercise. There is excellent scientific evidence that exercise is very effective at managing stress. Exercise reduces stress hormones and increases endorphins, which are “feel-good” neurotransmitters that can relax the body and improve mood.

Related article No longer drinking? There are options for you

CNN: What is your advice for people who have stressors in their lives—such as a hard job or caregiving responsibilities—that can’t easily go away?

Wen: This is really hard, because of course it would be ideal to address the stressors themselves. But many people have stressful situations that they can’t change.

It helps to be up front about that and acknowledge that changing the situation is not in your control. What is in your control, though, is your reaction to the situation.

Here is where self-awareness and self-care are so important. Learn to recognize when you are feeling especially stressed. Perhaps you feel tension in your neck and back muscles, or you have abdominal cramps or jitters. These are the times to practice deep breathing, meditation and other exercises that help you in the short-term.

For both short- and long-term benefit, it’s essential to make time for self-care. By that, I mean activities that you enjoy and that can take your mind off the stressful life situations. These could include taking a walk with a good friend, working in the garden, playing with your pets, reading a good book or otherwise participating in activities you enjoy. Think of the time you are putting aside for yourself as a kind of therapy; stress can make you unhealthy, so this is your way of giving yourself “treatment” to offset that stress.

Along those lines, knowing that stress is one factor that can impact your well-being, work to maximize the other aspects that contribute to overall health. Try to get adequate, restful sleep . Aim to eat healthy, whole foods and reduce your consumption of ultra-processed products. Make sure other chronic medical conditions, such as high blood pressure , are being treated. And do not wait to seek help from your mental health or primary care provider if the stress you are experiencing is leading to continuing mental health or physical distress.

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The Role of Stress in Our Everyday Life Essay

“Those who think they have no time for learning how to deal with stress, will sooner or later have to find the time to deal with illness.” This is what first appears on screen during the lecture on stress, linking chronic stress to psychosomatic illness. The rest of the lecture, in large part, expounds on this statement, and shows that there is knowledge that can change our views on and reactions to our stressors. I found this lecture extremely rewarding, especially with regard to its focus on time management as a major contributor to our level of stress, as I am a person who finds it difficult to prioritize my schedule.

The first clip is from the movie My Life with Michael Keaton and Nicole Kidman. It is shown to exemplify how one’s view on a situation contributes to the level of stress one experiences in that situation. Michael Keaton’s character rides a roller coaster which is something he has been scared to do for some time. He rides next to a child who is not scared—who perceives the experience as fun, safe, and rewarding. Michael Keaton cannot let go of the seat car, and the child rides the roller coaster with his hand straight up in the air. The lecturer goes on to explain that stress is not the ride itself, but the reaction one has to the ride. It is created in large part by our perceptions.

An expectation of failure is said to have a large impact on our stress levels. In the aforementioned clip, Keaton expects the coaster to fail, however the clip shown to demonstrate this specifically has to do with shyness in social situations. The phenomenon that ensues when we have poor expectations of ourselves is called the closed circle. We believe we are inadequate, so we behave in ways that prove our inadequacy, and that elicit responses from people that reinforce our beliefs. I have had some pretty intense battles with shyness, and can attest to the hopelessness that is experienced in these situations. I came to the same conclusion as the class and the lecturer came to, which is that the best way to overcome these types of problems is to accept shyness, and to associate with people who are also shy. This acceptance of self can create self-esteem—it gave me a foundation from which to build on in my personal life.

Expounding further on the expectations we have that create stress, the lecturer shows his third clip from a film called King Ralph. The clip shows an American who receives the British crown performing rock ‘n’ roll for his aristocratic guests. He confounds all expectations of how a king should behave—an act that clearly stresses many at the gathering. One thing that I related to in this clip is the amount of fun the title character has while performing—sometimes it is exhilarating to behave wildly before those who are stuffy and uptight.

The lecturer discusses time management in a way that has truly changed my view on what it means to prioritize, and how that process will work in my favor. He takes a jar—time—and has two types of things he can fill it with. He has small rocks, and bigger balls. If I fill my time with the small things first, the big things will not fit into the jar, but if I fill the jar with the big things first, the small things can still fit around the big things and I will end up with time to spare. This visual representation of how to utilize time made clear for me something that I have always struggled with, because I have always been worried about not having time for the little things I so enjoy.

The lecturer discusses how stress can also flood us with energy enough to accomplish amazing things. In a clip from Simon Birch shown, the title character rescues many children from a bus that is being flooded. In my life, I have experienced many stressful situations and accomplished great things in the heat of very intense moments. This hit home for me. However, the lecturer says something that I needed to hear—he mentions that we cannot expect ourselves to accomplish feats like this too regularly. It drains our organism, he says, and because I have also experienced that “drain” I am taking from this a sense that I must alter my expectations on myself in the name of reason.

The last couple of clips are non-fictional. One has to do with eating disorders, and the other with stress management. Eating disorders, it seems, have to do with compensating for a lack of a support system in others, and a large part of stress management has to do with not taking ourselves too seriously. These things, I believe, I understand pretty well already.

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IvyPanda. (2021, December 18). The Role of Stress in Our Everyday Life. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-role-of-stress-in-our-everyday-life/

"The Role of Stress in Our Everyday Life." IvyPanda , 18 Dec. 2021, ivypanda.com/essays/the-role-of-stress-in-our-everyday-life/.

IvyPanda . (2021) 'The Role of Stress in Our Everyday Life'. 18 December.

IvyPanda . 2021. "The Role of Stress in Our Everyday Life." December 18, 2021. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-role-of-stress-in-our-everyday-life/.

1. IvyPanda . "The Role of Stress in Our Everyday Life." December 18, 2021. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-role-of-stress-in-our-everyday-life/.

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IvyPanda . "The Role of Stress in Our Everyday Life." December 18, 2021. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-role-of-stress-in-our-everyday-life/.

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Psychology Discussion

Essay on stress: it’s meaning, effects and coping with stress.

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Essay on Stress: It’s Meaning, Effects and Coping with Stress!

Stress is a very common problem being faced today. Every individual will experience stress in one or the other time.

The term stress has many definitions, Lazarus and Folkman (1984) have defined stress as “an internal state which can be caused by physical demands of body or by environmental and social situations, which are evaluated as potentially harmful, uncontrollable, or exceeding our resources for coping”.

According to David Fontana “stress is a demand made upon the adaptive capacities of the mind and body”.

These definitions indicate that stress represents those conditions under which individuals have demand made upon them, that they cannot physically or psychologically meet, leading to breakdown at one or other of these levels.

Stress is usually thought of in negative terms. But ii can manifest itself in both positive and negative way. It is said to be positive when the situation offers an opportunity for one, to gain something.

Eustress (the Greek word ‘eu’ means good) is the term used to describe positive stress. It is often viewed as motivator, since in its absence the individual lacks the spirit necessary for peak performance. Distress is the term used to indicate negative stress.

Almost any change in the environment- even a pleasant change such as a joyful trip- demands some coping, and a little stress is useful in helping us to adapt. But beyond some point, stress becomes a ‘distress’.

What acts to produce distress varies from person to person, but some events seem to be stressors for every person.

Examples of stressors are:

1. Injury or infections of the body, dangers in environment, major changes or transitions in life which force us to cope in new ways.

2. Physical stressors like noise, pollutions, climatic changes, etc.

3. Hustles of everyday life centering on work, family, social activities, health and finances.

4. Frustrations and conflicts.

The physical, environmental and social causes of the stress state are termed stressors. Once induced by stressors the internal stress state can then lead to various responses. On the other hand, psychological responses such as anxiety, hopelessness, depression, irritability, and a general feeling of not being able to cope with the world, can result from the stress state.

Stress cycles:

Stress has a number of immediate effects. If the stressors are maintained, long-term behavioural, physiological, emotional and cognitive effects occur. If these effects hinder adaptation to the environment or create discomfort and distress, they themselves become stressors and, tend to perpetuate a ‘cycle’ of distress.

Example, a patient spends more money on treatment, may experience continued stress even after the cure of the disease, because repayment of debt cause stress for long time in him or a patient whose leg is amputated after accident may continue to worry about it.

On the other hand, many people have developed ways of coping with stressors, so that they are able to respond adaptively. This is the ‘wellness cycle’. Teaching people adaptive ways of handling stress, so as to promote the wellness cycle is an important part of the newly emerging field of behavioural medicine.

Effects of stress:

Stress is not always harmful. In fact, it is recognised that low levels of stress can even helps for better performance. For example, a student can prepare well for forthcoming examination only if he has some stress. However, excess level of stress is undoubtedly harmful.

The effects of stress are divided into three categories:

a. Physiological effects:

Commonly appearing stress related bodily disorders are-peptic ulcers, hypertension, chronic fatigue, hormonal changes, increased heart rate, difficulty in breathing, numbness of limbs, heart disease and reduction in immunity, etc.

b. Psychological effects:

Anxiety, depression, hopelessness, helplessness, anger, nervousness, irritability, tension and boredom may be experienced.

c. Behavioural changes:

Decreasing efficiency, making mistakes, inability to take decisions, under eating or overeating, sleeplessness, increased smoking, develop addiction to alcohol and drugs, forgetfulness, hypersensitivity or passiveness, accident proneness and interpersonal difficulties are seen.

Stress is linked to disorders such as cancer and heart disorders. There are several mediating variables that determine whether stress becomes dangerous or not. For example, good coping mechanisms which can help to reduce stress, having good social support, often help in reducing stress.

Perception of stress or how a person views stress is also very important. For example, a person may not perceive a situation as stressful whereas the same situation may be perceived as highly stressful by some other person.

People with personality type ‘A’ are more prone to be affected by stress related disorders like cardiovascular diseases. Personality character like hardiness or emotional stability helps to withstand effects of stress.

Hans Selye, a renowned biological scientist defines stress as the nonspecific response of the body to any demand upon it. He termed the body’s response to stressors the “General Adaptation Syndrome” (GAS).

The GAS consists of 3 stages:

1. Alarm reaction:

It is an emergency response of the body. In this stage prompt responses of the body, many of them mediated by the sympathetic nervous system, prepare us to cope with the stressor here and now.

2. Stage of resistance:

If the stressor continues to be present, the stage of resistance begins, wherein the body resists the effects of the continuous stressor. During this stage certain hormonal responses of the body are an important line of defence in resisting the effects of stressors (For example, release of ACTH).

3. Stage of exhaustion:

In this stage, the body’s capacity to respond to both continuous and new stressors has been seriously compromised. The person will no longer be able to face stressor and he will finally succumb to it. The person may develop psychosomatic illness.

The stress leads to many psychosomatic diseases. Treatment for such diseases involves medical help for the physical problems and, at the same time, attention to the psychological factors producing the stress.

Coping with Stress :

There are different ways of coping with stress such as: confronting (facing), distancing (remoteness), self-control, seeking social support, accepting responsibility, escape or avoid (from the stressor), plan a problem solving strategy and positive reappraisal.

Usually two broad type of coping types are seen- Instrumental coping and Emotional coping.

In instrumental coping, a person focuses on the problem and tries to solve it. In emotional coping, the focus is more on the feelings generated by the problem.

Today, self- help remedies, Do to yourself approaches, weight loss clinics and diets, health foods and physical exercise are being given much attention in mass media. People are actually taking more responsibility to maintain good health.

However, some specific techniques to eliminate or to manage more effectively the inevitable, prolonged stress are as follows:

Good physical exercise like walking, jogging, swimming, riding bicycle, playing soft ball, tennis are necessary to cope with stress.

Relaxation:

Whether a person simply takes it easy once in a while or uses specific relaxation techniques such as bio-feedback, or meditation, the intent is to eliminate the immediately stressful situation or manage a prolonged stressful situation more effectively.

Taking it easy may mean curling up with a good book on an easy chair or watching some light programme on television or listening to a light music. Meditation is scientifically proved to be very useful, both physically and mentally to cope with stress.

Behavioural self-control:

By deliberately managing the antecedents and the consequence of their own behaviour, people can achieve self-control. Besides managing their own behaviour to reduce stress, people can also become more aware of their limits and of ‘red flags’ that signal trouble ahead. They can avoid people or situations that they know will put them under stress.

Maladaptive strategies, rigid strategies or relying on one type of coping method lead to increase in the stress. Social support helps reduce the effect of stress. People may provide help, advice, material support or moral support that helps to reduce stress.

In addition to the above, psychotherapy (Beck’s cognitive therapy, Ellis’s rational emotive therapy and Meichenbaum’s stress- inoculation training), skill training, environmental changes, Bio-feedback (control of physical signs such as Blood pressure, headache, etc), family therapy, group therapy, hypnosis, yoga, are found to be very useful. Finally, uses of drugs are some of the other strategies adopted in coping with stress.

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Home / Essay Samples / Health / Stress / Managing Stress: Strategies for Coping with Life’s Pressures

Managing Stress: Strategies for Coping with Life's Pressures

• Category: Health
• Topic: Stress , Stress Management

Pages: 4 (1663 words)

• Downloads: -->

Objectives of the Study

Causes and effects of stress, definition of stress, acute stress, episodic acute stress, chronic stress, remedies (how to avoid it) of stress.

• Chrousos, G. P. (2009). Stress and disorders of the stress system. .
• McGonagle, K. A. (1990). Chronic stress, acute stress, and depressive symptoms. . American journal of community psychology, , 18(5), 681-706.
• Roth, S. &. (1986). Approach, avoidance, and coping with stress. American Psychlogist.
• Seaward, B. L. ((2017). ). Managing stress. Jones & Bartlett Learning.
• How to Manage Stress. Retrieved From Https://Www.Mind.Org.Uk/Media/1993364/How-To-Manage-Stress_2015.Pdf

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