This week’s QUOTE FOR STRESS:
“Adopting the right attitude can convert a negative stress into a positive one.” Hans Selye
Scientist Hans Selye (1907 – 1982) developed a General Adaptation Syndrome model showing the three phases of stress and the effects on the body. According to Selye, chronic stress causes long-term chemical changes in the body and is therefore a major cause of disease.
3 PHASES OF SELYE’S GENERAL ADAPTATION SYNDROME
Alarm Stage
This is also known as the fight or flight response where stress hormones are released for immediate energy. This energy needs to be used up in physical activity so the stress hormones like cortisol, adrenaline and noradrenaline do not harm the body, particularly the heart.
Resistance Stage
As the source of stress is being sorted out, the body begins to restore its balance and starts recovering. If the stress continues the body remains in a constant state of vigilance or arousal.
If there is no time for recovery the person will proceed into the next phase.
Exhaustion Stage
All adaptation energy supply is depleted and the result is burnout, chronic anxiety and depression. The stress levels go up and stay up. This stage is dangerous to your health and can damage nerve cells and body organs. Thinking as well as memory are also affected.
The Answer?
The answer is really quite simple! We have to learn better ways of dealing with stress. With our hectic lifestyles, this is easier said than done, but for the sake of good health our responses to stress need to be re-examined. We need to change our attitudes. Stress is a known cause of depression so to overcome depression it is essential to learn how to deal with it.
“Adopting the right attitude can convert a negative stress into a positive one.” Hans Selye
The Stress of Life by Hans Selye is available from Amazon and has good online reviews.
Please register for our Free 5 Part Overcoming Depression Course which focuses on learning how to deal with stress, particularly as regards changing the way we think.