It is safe to say that that everyone has endured stress at one point or another, most of it
aggravated during your day to day lives. However, as all encompassing a phrase as stress is,
it's important to understand that it can also be classified in several, specific types. Interestingly,
stress can sometimes be a very good thing, on the other hand, if left untended, can result in
potentially long term damage, both physically and psychologically.
According to the American Psychological Association, there are three primary forms that stress
can take on. With stress can come health problems that range from heart ailments to
depression or even simple fatigue, therefore the ability to identify the symptoms are important.
Acute
Perhaps the most common form of stress, which usually goes as quickly as it comes, and is
directly affected by pressures surrounding the malaised. In many ways, acute stress can be
helpful, as it gives you that kind of rush of exhilaration you need to push yourself that extra bit
you need to overcome some sort of challenge. It's a very temporary kind of tension, and as the
conflict resolves itself, it usually goes away hastily.
However, it should be noted that if there is a negative source for this type of stress then there
can be physical signs, such as stomach pains or an inability to form an appetite.
Ultimately, acute stress has no real long term effects, and is mostly noted for its immediate
feelings of malaise, especially since it only really lasts as long as its cause anyway.
Acute Episodic
A more serious form of stress than simple acute tension, acute episodic stress is most common
in people who allow themselves to lead disorganized and cluttered lives. When your life is a
jumbled mess of late arrivals and an inability to give yourself any sense of normalcy, you find
yourself sinking into this type of potentially harmful stress. When one has what's called a Type
A personality, or can be defined as "chronic worriers".
In many ways, this form of stress is like acute tension, however it is more likely to affect you
over a long period of time, and has had the unenviable distinction of leading to high blood
pressure and heart disease.
Chronic
In general, the majority of people experience this form of stress, especially in their day to day
lives. Whether you're suffering typical financial frustrations, or your long term relationship is
becoming rocky, or something as simple as a poor work environment, you can find yourself
suffering from chronic stress. Although you may find yourself able to overcome the simplest of
symptoms at first, it should not be outright ignored, as it is the most associated with cardiac
problems such as heart attacks - and is also a leading cause in violent rages and suicides.
Although stress and tension are relatively normal consequences of most situations humans are
involved in, some people describe it as a form of killer - and it is therefore highly important to
learn how to normalize your life, and keep stress under control. In addition to insuring a higher
quality life, it also avoids potentially fatal health problems in the future.
Next chapter , next Tuesday.
This post is an except from "How To Win Your War Against Stress" (c) Wings of Success
