Stress and Health

Stress and Health

• People with stress are unhappy
• Fall sick more often
• Diverts an individual’s attention from caring for herself/himself (chronic daily stress)
• When stress is prolonged:

1. Affects physical health
2. Impairs psychological functioning

• Due to high stress and little support available from family and friends, people experience:

1. Attitudinal problems
2. Physical Exhaustion (Chronic fatigue, low energy and weakness)
3. Mental Exhaustion (Irritability, anxiety, feelings of helplessness and hopelessness)

• This state of physical, emotional and psychological exhaustion is known as burnout.
• Stress can produce changes in the immune system and increase the chances of someone becoming ill.
• Risk of developing:

1. Cardiovascular disorders
2. High blood pressure
3. Psychomatic disorders (ulcers, asthma, allergies and headaches)

• Stress plays an important role in 50% - 70% of all physical illnesses.
• 60% of medical visits are primarily for stress-related symptoms.