Essay/Term paper: Stress

Essay, term paper, research paper:  Social Issues

Stress

Introduction

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 of stress are not.

Contras

On the other hand, stress has much more disadvantages than advantages.

- Stress is bad for your health! A lot of people react to stress with
aggressiveness, competitiveness, and self-imposed pressure to get things done.
This behaviour has been linked to increased rates of heart attack, high blood
pressure and other diseases. Stress can also affect the immune system, causing
the body to be less resistant to a wide range of other health problems.

- Most people can't think clear under stress. They make false decision and work
superficial (slapdash). Stress causes reduced concentration ability.

- Stress doesn't only affect you, it also has an effect on your environment. If
you're under stress and nervous, your (school/work) friends automatically become
like you. A stressed person has a bad influence on the work/school atmosphere. A
lot of friendship have broken down because of excessive stress.

Ending

It is said, that stress is the most common "illness" at the moment. I am not
of the same opinion. As I look at it, everybody reacts different to stress.
While some people become aggressive and nervous, other people may be equally
serious in their intentions, but are more patient. So, it is not possible to say,
whether stress is good or bad. It just depends on the person.

Furthermore I think that stress is unavoidable nowadays. But if you're once
under stress, try to manage it the best possible. Why not making stress work for
you as a source of energy? Better you use your energies by being creative than
wasting them by getting furious.