Let's talk about stress...

How do you view stress?

There are different types of stresses...

1.positive stress - builds character

2.tolerable stress - time limited. Adaptable to either nurturing or damaging influences

3.Toxic stress - strong frequent prolonged exposure to adversity without support

What is your stress response and how has this affected you?

How do you assist others experiencing stressful experiences and damaged by harmful stresses? Young and old.

Not all stress is damaging. Learning how to cope is part of life.
But I believe toxic types of stress can cause many health, behavioral and psychological problems, and this is the root of many adverse societal issues and interactions.

It is easier to build stong children than repair a broken man [ie. society]

WOW...great topic, and that last line....simple yet truthful and powerful!

I believe as well that negative or toxic stress is a health-buster. It can weaken us to the point of actually, physically being ill.
I used to be able to handle toxic stress simply because of having someone by my side to talk to when it happens.

I can help someone else who is dealing with it much better than I can help myself.

Honestly last job I had I was stressed out for many reasons.. One I had so much work that I could not catch up.. Some may say job security but believe me no job is worth that kind of security.. I worked there for 13 years...

Now where I work at I have been there 4 years.. best job I have ever had. No stress at all I can actually say I love my job.. There are many days I have nothing to do.. but I'm allowed to play online.. takes up the time..

As far as home my kids are grown just me and the dog.. I don't let things get to me... or stress me out..

Actually the older I get I just really don't give a care what others do or say.. I live my life like I want too. And do what I enjoy... Lots of peace and quite but time with friends and family as well..

Stress can make a illness worse and cause more medical problems.. In the end stress is not worth what it takes away from you...


Lol found this and had to share~~~~ Do I have these moments sure I do.. but they never last anymore.. Life is too short to be stressed to the point you no longer enjoy it.

Yes, often times, just being heard can make all the difference

Let it out, kristi...let it all out...

Okay.
But people should really have a primer to couch themselves in the terms you bring up.

http://developingchild.harvard.edu/key_concepts/toxic_stress_response/

"The terms positive, tolerable, and toxic stress refer to the stress response systems’ effects on the body, not to the stressful event itself. Because of the complexity of stress response systems, the three levels are not clinically quantifiable—they are simply a way of categorizing the relative severity of responses to stressful conditions."

"Positive stress response is a normal and essential part of healthy development, characterized by brief increases in heart rate and mild elevations in hormone levels. Some situations that might trigger a positive stress response are the first day with a new caregiver or receiving an injected immunization.

Tolerable stress response activates the body’s alert systems to a greater degree as a result of more severe, longer-lasting difficulties, such as the loss of a loved one, a natural disaster, or a frightening injury. If the activation is time-limited and buffered by relationships with adults who help the child adapt, the brain and other organs recover from what might otherwise be damaging effects.

Toxic stress response can occur when a child experiences strong, frequent, and/or prolonged adversity—such as physical or emotional abuse, chronic neglect, caregiver substance abuse or mental illness, exposure to violence, and/or the accumulated burdens of family economic hardship—without adequate adult support. This kind of prolonged activation of the stress response systems can disrupt the development of brain architecture and other organ systems, and increase the risk for stress-related disease and cognitive impairment, well into the adult years."


Depends on what's causing it, what it's doing to me (if I can even spot that), what I can do about it, and when.


Huh?
My stress response is all three, and all the other types of stress. Like acute.


Depends on my relationship to them.
Depends on what's going on, what's causing the stress, and how they're reacting to it.
Usually, if I help at all, it's to identify the problem.


I disagree.
Especially when middle class pretty much requires two full time working parents and mental health care has to be covered by insurance.

Thank you for providing the detailed primer.
Positive stress ie. Project deadlines, assignments, relocating...etc...
Tolerable stress ie. Getting mugged or scammed, relationship breakups, separation anxieties...etc...
Toxic stress ie. Abusive situations, wars, chronic debilitating illness without healthcare, refugee situations...etc...


Give your example, then...



Like watching a scary movie..?




this ^^ actually made me laugh a bit...

I relieve stress by killing zombies on .. call of duty

I carry one of these.

I think stress works as a two aspects of coin negative or positive.An optimist human can conquer stress where as pessimist can't conquer.There is phrase "wen going gets tough,tough gets going".A real diamond have to come through manny hammers.If u see a gr8 persons life there life was not easy like Lincon,Gandhi,Mandela,Einstein,Hitler,Napolean,Jobbs,Warren............list goes on.

like this ---->

you are right.
but not everybody has the tools to deal with different stresses.
plus, not everybody is in a position to rise above or even get through the environmental stresses they are placed or born into.

on the flip side of your comment, some "optimistic" people deal with stress by passing it on to others. they conquer their stress by conquering others.

so the question now is --how do you enable or empower at-risk individuals or groups/populations to overcome adversity towards the right direction?

In my life Stress has been a bad thing and lately I have had a ton of it.At my point in life I have learned to deal with it and not let it beat you because in reality it can kill you if you let it.

My Take:



1. Postive Stress -

What is your stress response: It normally challenges me.
Especially if there is a deadline involved or my career is on the line.
I normally give my all.
Meet the goal on time.
Learn from the experience.

How has this affected you? Given that I did not finish College,
it makes me want to prove myself that I can do it and achieve things
even if my educational attainment is not at par with others.
It makes me study more.
It makes me diligent.It makes me read more books.

2.Tolerable Stress -

What is your stress response: My initial response is fear.
My 2nd response is to berate myself for putting myself in that situation.
My 3rd response is to always get up and choose the right thing - conquer the fear.


How has this affected you? Wary. Distrustful.
Caution is no longer a necessary.
It now becomes a necessity.
Learn from the experience.
I vow not to become jaded.
There is always hope.

3.Toxic Stress -

What is your stress response: It makes me appreciate and grateful with what I have right now.
My 2nd response is to ask myself if it is more prudent to walk away or take it head on.
My 3rd response is to take courage and act what I do is best for the situation.


How has this affected you? It always gives me headache. It makes me hate both Psychology and Religion perspectives.
It makes me always ask, what is healthier to fight back ( make a stand) or just to play dumb like the majority does?
It hurts me, that people misinterprets or conclude hastily.
It hurts more that people choose to misinterpret because of a motive I haven't figured out yet.
It makes me work out more and play video games more.
It makes me want to go home immediately to my hometown province:)

Old

Practically....ask if I can do anything to lessen their load.
Emotionally....let them talk and listen.
Spiritually....ask if they want prayer.

Young

cuddles and love....move heaven and earth to protect them.

Last time, I used to feel that I'm able to handle stress quite well.

But unfortunately that's not the case, body will start reacting to it. Headache, sleepless nights, white hair start popping out and eating!

It's hard to control. So now before I sleep I will watch sitcom or some drama to relax my mind and body. At least I'm not getting headache and sleepless nights.

But of course the white hair and eating part... incurable!

it can. that's why it's important to be able to cope and have a support system when needed.

many have taken their lives or at least attempted to because of it...

now you have mingle as a stress-buster