I AM SO
STRESSED!!
How to Reduce
Your Risk of Stress and Stress related injuries and costs.
=====================================================
What is Stress?
Stress is part of our natural response to challenging
situations. When we are faced with a strong external
stimuli, stress chemicals are released, resulting in
changes to our body such as an increase of blood sugar
for instant energy, blood being diverted away from
digestive system and skin to 'feed' the muscles, and
faster and shallower breathing to increase oxygen
intake. The problem with stress occurs when the
situation producing the stress cannot be resolved within
a reasonable time period. Nature designed the stress
response for immediate action. The high pressure and
fast pace of modern living has brought with it stress
that constantly invades our life. These stresses can
vary from continually having to meet work related
targets and/or being stuck in a traffic jam. When this
happens, prolonged exposure to stress chemicals and the
changes they produce become chemical warfare in our own
bodies leading to deterioration in health. Repetitive
exposure to unresolved stress can lead to weakening of
the immune system, physical and nervous exhaustion,
illness and, in extreme cases, death.
What are the most common symptoms of stress?
The long term activation of the stress-response system
can disrupt almost all of your body's processes.
Nervous system
Stress hormones can produce persistent feelings of
anxiety, depression, helplessness or fatigue, sleep
disturbances or insomnia, loss of sex drive and loss of
appetite.
Immune system
Chronic stress can dampen your immune system, making you
more susceptible to headaches, colds and other
infections.
Digestive system: It's common to have constipation or
diarrhea when you are stressed. This happens because
stress hormones slow the release of stomach acid and the
emptying of the stomach. The same hormone also
stimulates the colon, which speeds the passage of its
contents. Chronic stress can also increase appetite and
cause weight gain and
obesity.
Cardiovascular system
Stress can raise your heart rate and increase your blood
pressure and blood lipid (cholesterol and triglyceride)
levels. People with a constant level of stress hormones
are also more susceptible to diabetes. These are all
risk factors for both heart attacks and strokes
Other
Stress can also cause back pain and stiff necks, worsens
many skin conditions such as eczema, hives and acne and
can also be a trigger for asthma.
What can you do to prevent or manage stress?
Eat and drink sensibly
Alcohol and food abuse will add stress. Eat a low-fat,
high-fiber diet and avoid a high-sugar, high-fat snack
foods.
Assert yourself
It's okay to say "no.” Set realistic goals at home and
at work.
Stop smoking or other bad habits - Nicotine acts as a
stimulant and brings on more stress symptoms.
Time management
Manage your time effectively and allocate time to relax
everyday. Try to look at change as a positive challenge,
not a threat.
Exercise regularly
Regular exercise defuses stress by counteracting the
effects of stress hormones. Exercise fights depression,
makes more alert and controls your weight.
Get more sleep
A good night's sleep will keep down the levels of stress
hormones. Try to get at least eight hours of sleep most
nights and try not to think about your problems late at
night.
Concentrate on the present
Holding on to regrets, anger or old grudges is
especially harmful because it can keep you from enjoying
life.
Accept responsibilities
Avoid blaming others for your problems. Even if you have
been treated badly, holding on to anger, frustration or
hostility can be harmful.
Get help
If you can no longer cope. Get help. Talk to your
physician or a mental health professional
=====================================================
How
does stress affect your healthcare costs?
Based
on claims of the Health & Welfare Fund from August 2003
through July 2004, treatments for stress-related
injuries is a substantial cost paid by the Fund. For
example, the Plan paid at least $2.73 million in heart
and heart related diseases and $3.14 million on back and
back-related injuries. In addition to all the
stress-related claims, the Plan also dispensed $8,458.81
worth of stress-related drugs such as Paxil, Prevacid,
Prilosec, Zoloft, Celexa and Prozac in the same period.
Contributions made by you to the Health & Welfare Fund
are directly used to pay your health care cost needs.
Every dollar spent on stress was paid by you and your
employer to the Health & Welfare Fund.
(Based on claims filed to the Health & Welfare Fund from
August 2003 through July 2004)
=====================================================
Unhealthy
lifestyle choices are a big reason healthcare cots are
rising. Poor health and inactive lifestyle can make
manageable diseases more difficult and costly to treat. You
can be healthier, feel better and help control your
healthcare costs by finding a healthy lifestyle that is
right for you.
Information in this publication is for general reference
only. You should not use this information to diagnose or
treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting
your doctor.
