Tuesday, August 9, 2016

THE COSTS AND BENEFITS OF STRESS

costs and benefits of stress image

Stress can be costly, taking a toll on our physical and mental health as well as our finances.

Constant arousal and increased levels of adrenaline in your system will eventually wear down your body’s immunological system.  As this occurs, you will be less able to cope with stress, and so it takes less and less to cause a stress reaction.  When you are chronically stressed, it takes very little to frustrate you and you feel easily irritated and stressed at the littlest thing.  Your body is both psychologically as well as physically less able to cope with stress.  This can cause your immune system to become compromised, and you may become ill more easily.  It may also take longer for you to recover from illness.  There are variety of medical problems that have been associated with stress, such as cardiovascular problems, gastrointestinal problems, sleep disorders, sexual dysfunction, infertility, and allergies.


While too much stress can have a negative impact and cause some serious health problems, a moderate level of stress is positive and beneficial.  Stress can be very motivating and energizing.  Without some stress, many of us may not get much accomplished in our day or even get out of bed!  Too little and too much stress is not helpful.  When you are not stressed at all, you can be apathetic and lethargic.  When you are too stressed, you are paralyzed with fear, like deer in the headlights.  This is referred to as the Yerkes-Dodson Law that shows a bell shaped curve demonstrating that there is an optimal level of stress for peak performance.  This holds true for any type of performance from academic or work activities to music or athletics.  Recognizing your appropriate level of stress for your ideal performance level is important in reaching your potential.  
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