Awareness Article - Corporate Fitness Works
Education The Positive Side of Stress: Eustress Did you know that all stress isn’t bad for you… In fact some stress is good. When presented with an appropriate amount of stress, the mind and body learn to adapt, and grow. Psychologically Stress can be unpleasant, in some cases debilitating and can even lead to depression and anxiety. But stress in the right amount can create a response of growth. Stress can be a cognitive enhancer creating focus. It can help boost your mental prowess and harness your focus to accomplish the given task. For example, the stress of an upcoming test may create the needed adrenaline and drive to study and focus to get a good grade. It also can ignite the primal fight or flight response. This hormonal response gives you the extra push to stay and fight it through, or to know when to get out.
Physically In the case of the body, applied stress can result in increase in physical performance and endurance. Adrenalin speeds the heart rate and increase reaction time as well as reflexes. For those who have played sports this is a common feeling, when playing against a skilled team, adrenalin assists the body to perform it’s best. Another example, take a bone and present it with a moderate stress and it will grow stronger. When a stress is not present it will become weak and the bone will lose density and lead to osteoporosis. Yet again if the stress exceeds the strength of the bone, the bone will fail. Finding the right balance and progression is key for success.
It is a fine balancing act to know how much stress is good and when we need to back away and recover. If If stress is not kept in check your body will say it has the negative responses are not checked, things such as had enough. Warning signs can include: mental fogginess and anxiety can occur. • Inability to concentrate • Having frequent colds • Body aches • Headaches • Irritability • Falling and staying asleep • Changes in appetite
Stress is an inevitable part of life, but focusing on how you respond to it or change something in the situation that will create a positive stress rather than a negative one. However in the right circumstances stress can be perceived as the 'spice of life' and can be what creates challenge, suspense and excitement. Continued next page >>
Coping Mechanisms: - Have a song/mantra/phrase to help you focus or gain strength. This can help channel nervous energy created by stress and using it to your advantage. - Don’t be afraid of stress. Learn your limit and try not to exceed it. Start by building your tolerance. - Find your worst stressors. Then consider finding a healthy, stress reducing activity like talking with family, taking a walk or a hobby. - Take care of yourself. Get enough sleep and drink plenty of water. Remember to take a break, go on vacation, or treat yourself to something special, like a small gift. - Ask for help. Take the load off and you may find that people are willing and even happy to help.
When have you reached your limit? Start small and gradually increase, is the key for building tolerance to stressors. Like lifting weights, when you start a strength training program with no experience, it isn’t wise to head for the heavy weights right away. This creates a high risk of injury because the necessary strength hasn’t been built. Start small and use the smaller weight until they are no longer difficult, then progress that weight as needed until the larger weights are within your scope of ability. Don’t compare yourself to others, the ability from one person to another can vary widely. They may have tolerance in one area that you may not and vice versa. Growing in stress means you are in control, and realizing what your limits are. Yet, don’t let those limits hold you back from trying something a little harder than you thought was possible. With smart goals and discipline, things that seemed impossible shortly become possible. Sources: https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-race-good-health/201212/4-healthy-ways-cope-stress, Four Healthy Ways to Cope With Stress, Erlanger A. Turner, Ph.D., 2012 http://www.helpguide.org/articles/stress/stress-management.htm, Stress Management, Lawrence Robinson, Melinda Smith, M.A., and Robert Segal, M.A., October 2016. http://www.healthguidance.org/entry/15537/1/The-Positive-Effects-of-Stress.html, The Positive Effects of Stress, Susan Knowlton, 2016
From Corporate Fitness Works Team Leader, Andrea Douglas
Corporate Fitness Works, Inc.
Physically In the case of the body, applied stress can result in increase in physical performance and endurance. Adrenalin speeds the heart rate and increase reaction time as well as reflexes. For those who have played sports this is a common feeling, when playing against a skilled team, adrenalin assists the body to perform it’s best. Another example, take a bone and present it with a moderate stress and it will grow stronger. When a stress is not present it will become weak and the bone will lose density and lead to osteoporosis. Yet again if the stress exceeds the strength of the bone, the bone will fail. Finding the right balance and progression is key for success.
It is a fine balancing act to know how much stress is good and when we need to back away and recover. If If stress is not kept in check your body will say it has the negative responses are not checked, things such as had enough. Warning signs can include: mental fogginess and anxiety can occur. • Inability to concentrate • Having frequent colds • Body aches • Headaches • Irritability • Falling and staying asleep • Changes in appetite
Stress is an inevitable part of life, but focusing on how you respond to it or change something in the situation that will create a positive stress rather than a negative one. However in the right circumstances stress can be perceived as the 'spice of life' and can be what creates challenge, suspense and excitement. Continued next page >>
Coping Mechanisms: - Have a song/mantra/phrase to help you focus or gain strength. This can help channel nervous energy created by stress and using it to your advantage. - Don’t be afraid of stress. Learn your limit and try not to exceed it. Start by building your tolerance. - Find your worst stressors. Then consider finding a healthy, stress reducing activity like talking with family, taking a walk or a hobby. - Take care of yourself. Get enough sleep and drink plenty of water. Remember to take a break, go on vacation, or treat yourself to something special, like a small gift. - Ask for help. Take the load off and you may find that people are willing and even happy to help.
When have you reached your limit? Start small and gradually increase, is the key for building tolerance to stressors. Like lifting weights, when you start a strength training program with no experience, it isn’t wise to head for the heavy weights right away. This creates a high risk of injury because the necessary strength hasn’t been built. Start small and use the smaller weight until they are no longer difficult, then progress that weight as needed until the larger weights are within your scope of ability. Don’t compare yourself to others, the ability from one person to another can vary widely. They may have tolerance in one area that you may not and vice versa. Growing in stress means you are in control, and realizing what your limits are. Yet, don’t let those limits hold you back from trying something a little harder than you thought was possible. With smart goals and discipline, things that seemed impossible shortly become possible. Sources: https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-race-good-health/201212/4-healthy-ways-cope-stress, Four Healthy Ways to Cope With Stress, Erlanger A. Turner, Ph.D., 2012 http://www.helpguide.org/articles/stress/stress-management.htm, Stress Management, Lawrence Robinson, Melinda Smith, M.A., and Robert Segal, M.A., October 2016. http://www.healthguidance.org/entry/15537/1/The-Positive-Effects-of-Stress.html, The Positive Effects of Stress, Susan Knowlton, 2016
From Corporate Fitness Works Team Leader, Andrea Douglas
Corporate Fitness Works, Inc.
