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Stress is a feeling that's created when we react to particular events. It's the body's way of rising to a challenge and preparing to meet a tough situation with focus, strength, stamina, and heightened alertness.

The events that provoke stress are called stressors, and they cover a whole range of situations — everything from outright physical danger to making a class presentation or taking a semester's worth of your toughest subject.

Good Stress and Bad Stress

The stress response (also called the fight or flight response) is critical during emergency situations, such as when a driver has to slam on the brakes to avoid an accident. It can also be activated in a milder form at a time when the pressure's on but there's no actual danger — like stepping up to take the foul shot that could win the game, getting ready to go to a big dance, or sitting down for a final exam. A little of this stress can help keep you on your toes, ready to rise to a challenge. And the nervous system quickly returns to its normal state, standing by to respond again when needed.

But stress doesn't always happen in response to things that are immediate or that are over quickly. Ongoing or long-term events, like coping with a divorce or moving to a new neighborhood or school, can cause stress, too.

Long-term stressful situations can produce a lasting, low-level stress that's hard on people. The nervous system senses continued pressure and may remain slightly activated and continue to pump out extra stress hormones over an extended period. This can wear out the body's reserves, leave a person feeling depleted or overwhelmed, weaken the body's immune system, and cause other problems.

What are the signs and symptoms of poorly managed stress?

Excess stress can manifest itself in a variety of emotional, behavioral, and even physical symptoms, and the symptoms of stress vary enormously among different individuals. Common somatic (physical) symptoms often reported by those experiencing excess stress include:

Ø  sleep disturbances

Ø  muscle tension

Ø  headache

Ø  gastrointestinal disturbances

Ø  fatigue

Ø  anxiety

Ø  changes in eating habits including overeating, loss of enthusiasm or energy, and mood changes.

Of course, none of these signs or symptoms means for certain that there is an elevated stress level since all of these symptoms can be caused by other medical and/or psychological conditions.

How can we manage stress?

-       If we think about the causes of stress, the nature of the stress response, and the negative effects of some types of stress (prolonged, unexpected, or unmanageable stress), several healthy management strategies become clear. A first step in stress management is exercise. Since the stress response prepares us to fight or flee, our bodies are primed for action. Unfortunately, however, we usually handle our stresses while sitting at our desk, standing at the watercooler, or behind the wheel stuck in traffic. Exercise on a regular basis helps to turn down the production of stress hormones and associated neurochemicals. Thus, exercise can help avoid the damage to our health that prolonged stress can cause. In fact, studies have found that exercise is a potent antidepressant, anxiolytic (combats anxiety), and sleeping aid for many people.

-       Now, Western medicine and psychology have rediscovered that particular wisdom, translated it into simple nonspiritual methods and scientifically verified its effectiveness. Thus, one or two 20-30 minute meditation sessions a day can have lasting beneficial effects on health. Indeed, advanced meditators can even significantly control their blood pressure and heart rate as well.

-       Elimination of drug use and no more than moderate alcohol use are important for the successful management of stress. We know that people, when stressed, seek these outlets, but we also know that many of these substances sensitize (make even more responsive) the stress response. As a result, small problems produce big surges of stress chemicals. What's more, these attempts with drugs and alcohol to mask stress often prevent the person from facing the problem directly. Consequently, they are not able to develop effective ways to cope with or eliminate the stress.

-       prescription drugs for anxiety, such as diazepam (Valium), lorazepam(Ativan), or alprazolam (Xanax), can be counterproductive in the same way. Therefore, these medications should only be used cautiously under the strict guidance of a physician. If, however, stress produces a full-blown psychiatric problem, like posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), clinical depression, or anxiety disorders, then psychotropic medications, particularly the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), are extremely useful. Examples of SSRIs include sertraline (Zoloft), paroxetine(Paxil), or fluoxetine (Prozac).

-       We know that chronic or uninterrupted stress is very harmful. It is important, therefore, to take breaks and decompress. Take a lunch break and don't talk about work. Take a walk instead of a coffee break. Use weekends to relax, and don't schedule so many events that Monday morning will seem like a relief. Learn your stress signals. Take regular vacations or even long weekends or mental-health days at intervals that you have learned are right for you.

Complications of Stress  

For many individuals, stress is a term with which they may be all too familiar. Some people experience stress on an occasional basis whereas others may find that their stress is a chronic problem. Too often individuals dismiss stress as being something which will come and go. Unfortunately, there are various complications of stress which can become serious problems if they are not taken care of.

High Blood Pressure

Ø  A common complication of stress is high blood pressure. High blood pressure can be serious for some and may future heart problems.

Sleep Disorders

Ø  Another type of complication which may result from stress is sleep disorders. When individuals are dealing with stressful situations they may find that their sleep habits are disturbed. Some individuals may find that they are unable to sleep (insomnia) due to the stressful situation while others may find that they sleep large amounts of hours (hypersomnia) in order to avoid the stressful situation.

Ø  For those who do not get enough sleep they may find that they are more accident prone and less productive during the day. As for the individual who sleeps many hours throughout the day, they may find thatdepression is an issue because in some cases oversleeping and depression may be related. The best way to help rid oneself of these sleep disorders is by eliminating or alleviating the stress through either natural or medical remedies.

Eating Disorders

Ø  Individuals who experience stress may also find themselves turning to food or away from food as a coping mechanism. Some people who are stressed out try to reduce their stress by eating whereas others feel that they are so stressed out they couldn’t possibly eat a thing. Both of these situations can be detrimental if taken to the extreme. Individuals should be sure to eat healthy meals each and every day regardless of the stress. Eating healthy meals may help to alleviate the stress.

Mental problem

-       Over stress can lead to mental problem

-       Person that having stress can act uncontrolled.

-       Sometimes, stress can make them become crazy.