Stress Management

Stress Management

Responses to stressors present different impacts on each individual.

Stressors have a physical and psychological effect on people although

some people seem to be much less effected by stress being able to

withstand high levels of stress almost as if there daily lives depend

on it. Even though it is accepted stress is with us from are waking

moment to the minute we sleep, almost all individuals through time

suffer physical or psychological illness. Individual responses to

stress have been put into to categories of personality type; a

distinction has been made and put into a category of either type A or

type B.

Type A are said to be competitive and assertive high achievers, being

more likely to react to stress aggressively which puts them in a

higher category for long term stress related illness.

Type B are calmer and laid back putting them in a lower category for

long term stress related illness.

Gender differences in coping with stress are also very apparent. Women

are said to live longer than men because their approach to stressors

show less physiological arousal than men.

Culture differences have a massive impact on stress. Third world

counties are faced daily with the stress of finding safe and suitable

food and water for their families and their own survival whereas in

developed countries food and water is taken for granted almost and

career goals and suitable schooling for our children is seen as a

formidable stressor.

As society's awareness of stress being an everyday part of life has

become apparent, methods of stress management are now as much a part

of our everyday lives as the stressor...

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... how to achieve and sustain muscle relaxation so when faced with a

stressor will be capable and in full control to consciously reduce

tense bodily arousal. This is progressive muscle relaxation.

Weaknesses.

This technique is more suitable for relaxation when faced with minor

stressors. The individual will respond better if able to find a

suitable and quite place to gain control over body reactions as this

takes time and space to gain full potential. Unfortunately if

presented with a stressor in an unsuitable environment i.e.

supermarket or busy work place to be able to achieve full body

progressive relaxation would be impossible. This technique is also

unsuitable in combating long effecting long term stressors; only

further deeper focused intervention behavioural strategies will

achieve long-term adjustment.