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How Stressed Are You?
Currently there are man-power shortages within many Health Science
professions. Both new and returning students are reporting that
they are changing their current positions and returning to college
to earn associate degrees or certificates in order to become a health
care professional. Students are enrolling into Registered Nursing
(RN), Licensed Practical Nursing (PN), Radiography, Medical Office
Assistant programs. However, the process for reaching their academic
goal and for becoming a health care professional is not as easy
as it sounds. Students not only have to succeed academically, but
they must try to accommodate their personal obligations outside
of college, whether it be part-time or full-time employment, child
rearing, completion of practicum hours for individual health science
programs, and most importantly for staying healthy mentally and
physically as they work for meeting their career goal.
Identifying Your
Stress
Many symptoms of stress can be easily determined by asking yourself
a few questions:
YES NO Are you easily startled
or irritated?
YES NO Do you feel
a tremendous amount of stress is on your shoulders?
YES NO Are you often
disappointed in yourself and others?
YES NO Do you continually
worry about events in your future?
YES NO Do you frequently
use tobacco, alcohol, or other drugs to help you relax?
YES NO Are you concerned
that you do not have enough money?
YES NO Do you have
recurrent headaches and/or stomach aches?
YES NO Do you have
trouble sleeping?
YES NO Do you feel
constantly under pressure to produce?
YES NO Do you often
feel as if you have less energy than you need to finish the day?
YES NO Are you easily
agitated or physically act out of frustration?
YES NO Do you worry
whether you are accepted or liked by others?
YES NO Do you have
the constant worry of trying to find solutions to remedy your troubles?
YES NO Do you have
access to a support system of friends and family?
YES NO Do you find
yourself socially withdrawing yourself from those around you?
If you answer YES to a few of these questions, you are normal,
but if you answer YES to all questions, you may be experiencing
a high level of stress. There are three types of symptoms of stress,
Physical Symptoms, Emotional Symptoms, and Behavioral Symptoms.
| Physical Symptoms may
include incurring frequent illnesses, high blood pressure, headaches,
pounding heart, excessive perspiration. |
Emotional Symptoms may
include, anxiety or edginess, depression, fatigue, inability
to concentrate, irritability, and difficulty in remembering
things. |
Behavioral Symptoms may
include crying, change in eating habits, change in sleeping
habits, problems communicating with others, and isolation. |
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| Health Problems Linked to Stress
- Cardiovascular Disease
- Colds and other infections
- Asthma and allergies
- Cancer
- Chronic disease flare-ups
- Psychological Problems
- Digestive Problems
- Headaches and Migraines
- Insomnia and fatigue
- Injuries
- Endocrine effects and pregnancy complications
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Ways for Combating Stress
- Think and act constructively.
- Take Control.
- Problem Solve.
- Modify Expectations.
- Maintain Positive
- Cultivate your sense of humor.
- Weed out trivia.
- Live in the present.
- Go with the flow.
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Stress Management Techniques
- Get out and Exercise!
- Obtain a Social Support System
- Communication
- Maintain a healthy sleep schedule
- Time Management
- Practice Meditation Exercises
- Deep Breathing
- Hatha Yoga
- T’ai chi ch’uan
- Listen to music
- Biofeedback
Well all suffer from stress but it is extremely
important to combat it
in order to stay healthy physically and mentally!
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