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Stress Fractures

No, I'm not speaking of the kind that happens to our bones. Rather, I'm concerned about the kind that happens to our lives.

Stress is pressure from the outside that causes us to experience tension on the inside. A certain amount of stress is needed in our daily lives in order for us to perform well and be effective. Too much stress, however, can cause us harm.

When we experience rapid and extreme change, we can experience harmful stress. The loss of a loved one, an illness, financial problems, family pressures, even retirement, can cause us to be so stressed as to fracture our grip on life. Certainly, job loss and searching for a new one can bring extreme stress to us.

Boston College neuro-psychology professor, Joe Tecce, indicates that stress can be measured by how often a person blinks. A case in point was the recent presidential debates. Bob Dole and Bill Clinton, both vying for the job of President, were under stress. The normal blink rate for someone on TV is 31 to 50 blinks per minute. Bob Dole averaged 147 blinks per minute, 3 blinks per second. His highest rate of 163 occurred when asked if the country was better off than it was four years ago. Clinton averaged 99 blinks per minute and peaked out at 117 when he was questioned about the increase of teen drug use. Professor Tecce notes that since 1980, the faster debate blinkers have lost every presidential election. Clearly, too much stress lowers effectiveness and can stand in the way of success.

There are clear warning signs of stress fractures: nervousness, dizziness, pounding of the heart, inability to fall asleep or sleeping all the time. These are just a number of symptoms that could be tied to an overload of stress. If the stress (outside pressure) is prolonged, the greater the fracture in our lives.

Often, when people find themselves under prolonged pressure, they turn to avoidance behaviors in order to medicate themselves. Alcohol, drugs, food and a host of other things or behaviors become a part of their coping strategy. But, avoiding the stresses of life aren't always possible and destructive behaviors only make a bad situation worse.

There are some things you can do to cope with stress that will enable you to withstand the pressure and avoid the fractures. Here are several suggestions:

Eat right - A low fat diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables is best for maximum health. In addition to the right kinds of food, be sure to drink about eight glasses of water a day.
Exercise - Stress is often relieved through a routine regimen of aerobic exercise. Running, swimming, walking are just several recommended ways to become aerobically fit. Join the YMCA/YWCA and get fit for life. You'll look better and more importantly, you'll feel better.
Hobbies - Find something you enjoy doing; be creative. Don't just sit and stew over situations. Find something that's both constructive and creative and brings you enjoyment.
Relationships - Being isolated only accentuates our stresses. Be friendly. Make friends by being one. Get involved in your church; join a professional networking group. If you're married, cultivate your marriage relationship in ways that encourage closeness and intimacy.

Stress can be managed but you must be pro-active. Left unattended, problems have a way of escalating. Incorporating these suggestions in your life will benefit you and allow you to tackle your tasks into a healthy and productive manner.

Stress Fractures No, I'm not speaking of the kind that happens to our bones. Rather, I'm concerned about the kind that happens to our lives. Stress is pressure from the outside that causes us to experience tension on the inside. A certain amount of stress is needed in our daily lives in order for us to perform well and be effective. Too much stress, however, can cause us harm. When we experience rapid and extreme change, we can experience harmful stress. The loss of a loved one, an illness, financial problems, family pressures, even retirement, can cause us to be so stressed as to fracture our grip on life. Certainly, job loss and searching for a new one can bring extreme stress to us. Boston College neuro-psychology professor, Joe Tecce, indicates that stress can be measured by how often a person blinks. A case in point was the recent presidential debates. Bob Dole and Bill Clinton, both vying for the job of President, were under stress. The normal blink rate for someone on TV is 31 to 50 blinks per minute. Bob Dole averaged 147 blinks per minute, 3 blinks per second. His highest rate of 163 occurred when asked if the country was better off than it was four years ago. Clinton averaged 99 blinks per minute and peaked out at 117 when he was questioned about the increase of teen drug use. Professor Tecce notes that since 1980, the faster debate blinkers have lost every presidential election. Clearly, too much stress lowers effectiveness and can stand in the way of success. There are clear warning signs of stress fractures: nervousness, dizziness, pounding of the heart, inability to fall asleep or sleeping all the time. These are just a number of symptoms that could be tied to an overload of stress. If the stress (outside pressure) is prolonged, the greater the fracture in our lives. Often, when people find themselves under prolonged pressure, they turn to avoidance behaviors in order to medicate themselves. Alcohol, drugs, food and a host of other things or behaviors become a part of their coping strategy. But, avoiding the stresses of life aren't always possible and destructive behaviors only make a bad situation worse. There are some things you can do to cope with stress that will enable you to withstand the pressure and avoid the fractures. Here are several suggestions: Eat right - A low fat diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables is best for maximum health. In addition to the right kinds of food, be sure to drink about eight glasses of water a day. Exercise - Stress is often relieved through a routine regimen of aerobic exercise. Running, swimming, walking are just several recommended ways to become aerobically fit. Join the YMCA/YWCA and get fit for life. You'll look better and more importantly, you'll feel better. Hobbies - Find something you enjoy doing; be creative. Don't just sit and stew over situations. Find something that's both constructive and creative and brings you enjoyment. Relationships - Being isolated only accentuates our stresses. Be friendly. Make friends by being one. Get involved in your church; join a professional networking group. If you're married, cultivate your marriage relationship in ways that encourage closeness and intimacy. Stress can be managed but you must be pro-active. Left unattended, problems have a way of escalating. Incorporating these suggestions in your life will benefit you and allow you to tackle your tasks into a healthy and productive manner.
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