Stress: A Definition & Strategies to Cope

To be alive is to experience stress.   The father of the stress concept, Hans Selye, described stress as a “normal and natural part of life.” But what causes deep distress in one person may not cause any stress in someone else.  Why is this so?  Because stressors are in the eye of the beholder.  The effect of stress on our bodies is not determined by the stressor itself, but rather by the reaction that we have to it.  Stress – a response by the body from any demand placed on it – is always filtered through our unique personalities and we each have an optimal stress range in which we function best. Research shows that when we perceive something as negative, our body produces negative chemicals such as adrenalin, cortisol and epinephrine, which cause our body’s organs to function at an increased  level.  When we perceive something as pleasurable and enjoyable, our body also produces chemicals.  However, these chemicals are healing chemicals, such as interleukins, interferon and endorphins. As we age, we may live with chronic pain, loss of loved ones, and the loss of a lifestyle in which we had total control.  However, there are always things that can be done to achieve a sense of calm, joy and meaningful purpose.  At the Gurwin Jewish Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, our Therapeutic Recreation department provides stress reduction techniques for our residents that promote a balance between mind, body and spirit.  Through our Wellness Programs, we teach mind/body healing, which incorporates Eastern and Western medical practices and teaches techniques based on valid research.  For example, our licensed Tai Chi and Yoga instructors provide exercises that are adapted to those with limited mobility and balance.  In our “Healing Mind” Workshop, we teach techniques based on:

• Psychoneuroimmuology, emphasizing the concept that our thoughts and behavior effect our physical functioning
• Guided meditation
• The Relaxation Response
• The Power of Positive Thinking

Other Wellness Programs that can help manage stress include those that empower individuals to:

• Take control of their thoughts and behaviors
• Become aware of their specific stressors and their emotional and physical reaction to them
• Change the way they perceive the stressor
• Reduce the intensity of their emotional reactions to stress
• Build their physical, emotional and psychological reserve when encountering stress
• Recognize the resources available when encountering stress.
• Tap into their coping skills

It’s never too late to learn to control stress and anxiety through diverse techniques.  These coping strategies help support a feeling of control and independence, keeping the body, as well as the mind, healthy.