Stress And Health | EssayIvy.com

Stress and Health

Name of Student

Date

Causes of stress

In life, various factors trigger and cause stress to human beings. Most of the times it

depends on with the life experiences one is going through, and it leads to mental restlessness. In

most cases if the stress is not dealt with, it may result in adverse health implications as is the case

with Karen in the case study provided. The causes of stress in her case include the significant life

changes whereby she moves to a new career which would help her raise the amount she needs

for fees. This life change is somehow involved as it charges her with responsibilities she was

not used (Alzahem et al. 2011, p.19). Therefore, having in mind that there are children she is

supposed to look after and who have their physical challenges, she has to think a lot. This

makes her suffer from mental restlessness and torture of mind.

Secondly, her social situation is another factor that triggers stress (Hall et al. 2012,

p.1044). The main reason that she indulges in this business of caring for children with learning

difficulties is that of the social status. She does not have enough amount of money to cater for

her expenses which include fees and upkeep. The need to provide for her financial obligations

exposes her to stress. Related to her social situation, is the increase in the financial obligations

whereby the school fees 9000 pounds increases the financial requirements by the same amount,

yet her income doesn’t change. Thirdly, the job she does is another cause of the stress because it

adds her too much responsibility and is physically demanding. Such a position may lead to

emotional exhaustion. The duty she is charged with for caring for these children is too much for

her since she has another obligation in school studies. In fact, she is currently writing a

dissertation paper which is long enough to take 10000 words.

Other factors believed to cause and trigger stress include changes in the

relationships. This may result from conflict between an individual and their beliefs as well as

their values (Hall et al. 2012, p.1052). For instance, being in a good relationship with friends and

then indulging in a business that denies one time for the same friends. In the case of Karen, she

was initially in good contact with her friends and would spend time socializing with them.

However, once she is employed as a caregiver for children with learning difficulties, she drops

her value for these friends and can’t even find time to share with them. Therefore, she suffers

from loneliness and doesn’t have any close associate in the school with which she can share her

problems. This kind of situation becomes too hard for her, but she doesn’t accept the reality. In

addition to this, she is unable to balance between her various tasks (Hall et al. 2012, p.1047). The

poor management of work also may lead to stress due to the pressure of serving two problems at

the same moment.

Cognitive and physiological strategies of managing stress

There are various ways of dealing with stress management. Most of the experts

recommend that the most efficient ways are just being able to cope with one’s lifestyles,

emotions as well as ways of approaching problems. However, the primary methods employed in

dealing with stressful nature of situations can be divided into two categories. These are both the

cognitive and physiological strategies (Ljótsson et al. 2011, p.1483). Whereas the physiological

approaches are used to alter the whole problem by impinging on the stressor, the cognitive

strategies are used to modify the actual perception of the stress. However, the two forms of

procedures is used for the same purpose bringing the life to its form of balance (Seaward 2013).

This section, therefore, wishes to provide the various cognitive and physiological strategies that

would be employed in the case of Karen to bring her back to her usual self.

Sharing the problem

Cognitive strategies comprise of such aspects as sharing the problem as well as taking a

break from a given situation to allow relaxation of mind. On the sharing policy, there is a saying

that goes; a problem shared is a problem half solved. Therefore, there is power in exchange of

problems while dealing with stressful situations. Most counselors suggest that sharing the

problem and concerns with a person one trusts works efficiently in relieving stress. As people

share their stressful moments with their friends, they benefit by reducing the level of cortisol

which is the cause of stress. However, it becomes more useful if the people involved are sharing

some common challenges. When people discuss the problems, they relieve tension and hence

this strategy works a great deal (Alzahem et al. 2011, p.21). For the case of Karen, this would be

much easier to apply as she had many friends who were willing to spend time with her.

However, she doesn’t consider the opportunity but instead busies herself with the same things

that stress her.

Taking a break

The other cognitive strategy of dealing with stress is taking a break from the stressor. By

taking such a break, it helps a person to indulge in other activities that would rather contribute

to alleviating the stressful thoughts or emotions. The breaking also helps the victim of stress

develop some strength which would help to cope with such situations afterward. For instance,

psychologists argue that taking breaks for rest helps the neurons develop the strength to resist

from conditions related to stress such as migraines. This may be facilitated by having enough

sleep. However, one may take a vocational break physically to move away from the situations

that are causing them stress. For the case of Karen, she overworked herself and had no time for

breaks. Even breaking for sleep was limited and thus, can’t escape the stress. However, she

needs to take a break both in the occupation and also other activities for the mind to rest (Antoni

et al. 2012, p.366).

Exercise

On the physiological strategies of fighting stress, there is both the exercise and diet

plan. Exercise is recommended by most of the psychologists to be included in

the stress management plans. This is because it usually has many direct benefits of countering

stress. It does this by helping maintain mental fitness through such factors as lowering the

tension levels as well as stabilization of moods. Exercise is one of the main contributors towards

self-esteem which plays a significant role in managing stress. The activities help to pump up of

endorphins through the production of neurotransmitters that are responsible for feeling good

(Antoni et al. 2012, p.371). Secondly, it enhances meditation in that after engaging in an

exercise one tends to forget the irritations they had gone through in earlier moments. It, however,

helps in boosting the mood as well as increasing self-confidence through lowering the symptoms

which are associated with mild depressions and also anxiety. From this analysis, therefore, it is

vividly clear that exercise is a good strategy for stress than almost any other strategy.

Diet

Diet is the other physiological strategy of dealing with stress. Nutritionists and the

researchers have been recommending that the right meal at the right time helps in addressing

depression. A healthy eating plan is always recommended. However, there certain foods which

are more preferred in dealing with the situation than others. For instance, those rich in vitamins

such as fruits and vegetables as well as those who are rich in magnesium such as milk are highly

recommended. Vitamin C, for instance, is highly crucial in the adrenal glands production of the

stress hormones. Magnesium, which is obtained from different types of nuts and vegetables, is

one of the elements that regulate stress. This facilitates the relaxation of muscles and lowers the

level of anxiety. It is for these reasons that medics have been in forefront preaching the

consumption of such diets that are rich in vitamins and magnesium (Antoni et al. 2012,

p.371). This manages stress and its consequences.

Realistic plan for Karen to reduce and manage stress

Karen should employ the above four strategies to ensure that the stress she is suffering

from is controlled. When it comes to the comparison, all the four strategies share one common

similarity in that they have a common goal. Also, the physiological strategies share a common

characteristic in the mode of addressing stress while cognitive strategies share a different one.

Below are the strategies that she should consider implementing with their distinct characteristics;

1) Sharing with a friend: she should reconsider her socializing habits so that she can

share her problems with her allies. This strategy can be contrasted with others as it is the only

one that involves two parties. It also offers a short-term resolution to the problem because most

of the times it does not eliminate the problem entirely. It works by altering the actual perception

of the stress which contrasts physiological strategies (Alzahem et al. 2011, p.23).

2) Taking a break: Karen should consider creating time for her to relax and rest. Much

time is needed for sleep to put the mind at rest. This strategy is somehow distinct from the rest in

that it is the most inactive. That means it involves staying away from the routines one is

entrusted. It is not vigorous like the others. As opposed to diet and exercise it operates by

altering the actual perception of the stress (Alzahem et al. 2011, p.19).

3) Body exercise: this is one of the beneficial aspects missing in the day to day life of

Karen. She should consider having time outside books and outside her routine to take part in

such activities as co-curricular activities (Seaward 2013). This strategy differs from the rest in

that it is the most vigorous and which involves much body movements. As opposed to the

cognitive approaches to stress, it alters the whole problem by impinging on the stressor.

4) Diet: taking meals and at the right time would help Karen cope with the situation.

In addition to that, the type of food should be rich in vitamins and magnesium. This is different

from the strategies above because it deals with the immune system (Seaward 2013). Also, the

mode of addressing stress is distinct from that of cognitive strategy as it impinges on the stressor

but not the perception of stress.

Reference List

Alzahem, A.M., Van der Molen, H.T., Alaujan, A.H., Schmidt, H.G. and Zamakhshary, M.H.,

2011. Stress amongst dental students: a systematic review. European Journal of Dental

Education, 15(1), pp.8-18.

Antoni, M.H., Lutgendorf, S.K., Blomberg, B., Carver, C.S., Lechner, S., Diaz, A., Stagl, J.,

Arevalo, J.M. and Cole, S.W., 2012. Cognitive-behavioral stress management reverses

anxiety-related leukocyte transcriptional dynamics. Biological psychiatry, 71(4), pp.366-

372.

Hall, A.M., Kamper, S.J., Maher, C.G., Latimer, J., Ferreira, M.L. and Nicholas, M.K., 2011.

Symptoms of depression and stress mediate the effect of pain on disability. Pain, 152(5),

pp.1044-1051.

Ljótsson, B., Hedman, E., Andersson, E., Hesser, H., Lindfors, P., Hursti, T., Rydh, S., Rück, C.,

Lindefors, N. and Andersson, G., 2011. Internet-delivered exposure-based treatment vs.

stress management for irritable bowel syndrome: a randomized trial. The American

journal of gastroenterology, 106(8), pp.1481-1491.

Seaward, B.L., 2013. Managing stress. Jones & Bartlett Publishers.

Place new order. It's free, fast and safe

Paper type

Deadline

Page count

550 words

Total price: $ 15.00

Our customers say

Jeff Curtis

USA, Student

"I'm fully satisfied with the essay I've just received. When I read it, I felt like it was exactly what I wanted to say, but couldn’t find the necessary words. Thank you!"

Ian McGregor

UK, Student

"I don’t know what I would do without your assistance! With your help, I met my deadline just in time and the work was very professional. I will be back in several days with another assignment!"

Shannon Williams

Canada, Student

"It was the perfect experience! I enjoyed working with my writer, he delivered my work on time and followed all the guidelines about the referencing and contents."