Stress is a complex, catch-all term that can mean different things to different people. It peppers our conversation and has become a common thread in our social fabric. But what does it really mean? Most of us describe stress as situational. "It was a stressful meeting." "His behavior stressed me out." We use the term to describe a broad range of physical and psychological feelings. More often than not, we think of stress as a negative force in our lives.
Most of us would consider events such as a death or serious illness as stressful. Less intense situations such as IEP team meetings or job interviews are stressful to some people and not others. Consequently, stress involves the interplay of events and our responses to them. Understanding the influence of our perceptions and reactions on our stress levels is an important first step to successful stress management. Learn more about how you manage stress with this screener.
Stress symptoms can be physical, psychological, or emotional. Symptoms can range from mild to severe. Examples include:
- Tension headaches, body aches, and Pain;
- Illnesses, increased susceptibility to infections;
- Heart palpitations, digestive problems, insomnia or sleeping too much; and
- Emotional and behavioral problems such as tearfulness, mood changes, irritability, depression, impulsiveness, and low self-esteem.
Understanding the range of stress-related symptoms is important for resolving the problem. Take a Mental Inventory to determine what symptoms you may have.
While stress can seem overwhelming, you can learn to manage it more effectively with planning, diligence, and the proper supports. First and foremost, it is important for you to see your doctor to determine if you need treatment for any of our physical or emotional problems.
Using information from your Stress Screener and and Mental Inventory, you can learn to develop your own stress management plan. Be open-minded about your options to reduce stress. There are many strategies you can use that can help.
