Today stress is one of commonly used terms, however, as a definition, it is often used incorrectly. Your life is full of hassles, deadlines, frustrations, and demands. You experience stress or perceive things as threatening, when you do not believe that your resources for coping with obstacles are enough for what the circumstances demand.

Do you know that stress can affect your body, your thoughts and feelings, and your behavior?Yet, one of the problems with stress is recognizing it and making differentiation between “normal” and “harmful” stresses. Once you are aware of it we can take action, and, being able to recognize common stress symptoms can give you a clear understanding on managing them.

As a matter of fact, we have to live with stress as long as we live.

Common effects of stress

Every time we experience stress we can develop a wide range of physical, psychological and behavioral signs and symptoms. However, those effects are not a sign of disease because stress is not a disease. Normally, stress effects are brought about by the body’s Fight-Flight Response, which is designed to give us extra energy and speed to cope with the threat.

For instance, when under stress we may experience a pounding, speeding heart. This is not a sign of heart disease, but is in fact, caused by stress hormones stimulating the heart to pump harder and beat faster to get extra oxygen to vital muscles and organs so we can fight or run away. Once the stressful event has passed, the levels of stress hormones in our blood stream will fall again and our heart will return to its normal rhythm.

How much stress is too much?

Most cases of stress is a normal physical response to events that make you feel threatened or upset your balance in some way. When you sense danger – whether it’s real or imagined – the body’s defenses kick into high gear in a rapid, automatic process known as the “fight-or-flight” reaction, or the stress response.

The stress response is the body’s way of protecting you. When working properly, it helps you stay focused, energetic, and alert. In emergency situations, stress can save your life – giving you extra strength to defend yourself, for example, or spurring you to slam on the brakes to avoid an accident.

The stress response also helps you rise to meet challenges. Stress is what keeps you on your toes during a presentation at work, sharpens your concentration when you’re attempting the game-winning free throw, or drives you to study for an exam when you’d rather be watching TV.

But beyond a certain point, stress stops being helpful and starts causing major damage to your health, your mood, your productivity, your relationships, and your quality of life.

Because of the widespread damage stress can cause, it’s important to know your own limit. But just how much stress is “too much” differs from person to person. Some people roll with the punches, while others crumble at the slightest obstacle or frustration. Some people even seem to thrive on the excitement and challenge of a high-stress lifestyle.

Your ability to tolerate stress depends on many factors, including the quality of your relationships, your general outlook on life, your emotional intelligence, and genetics.

Things that influence your stress tolerance level

• Your support network – A strong network of supportive friends and family members is an enormous buffer against life’s stressors. On the flip side, the more lonely and isolated you are, the greater your vulnerability to stress.
• Your sense of control – If you have confidence in yourself and your ability to influence events and persevere through challenges, it’s easier to take stress in stride. People who are vulnerable to stress tend to feel like things are out of their control.
• Your attitude and outlook – Stress-hardy people have an optimistic attitude. They tend to embrace challenges, have a strong sense of humor, accept that change is a part of life, and believe in a higher power or purpose.
• Your ability to deal with your emotions – You’re extremely vulnerable to stress if you don’t know how to calm and soothe yourself when you’re feeling sad, angry, or afraid. The ability to bring your emotions into balance helps you bounce back from adversity.
• Your knowledge and preparation – The more you know about a stressful situation, including how long it will last and what to expect, the easier it is to cope. For example, if you go into surgery with a realistic picture of what to expect post-op, a painful recovery will be less traumatic than if you were expecting to bounce back immediately.

Also Used Materials from HelpGuide.org, MayoClinic.com