STRESS IN THE SOCIETY

SOLUTION

In this world of stiff competition where people start their rat race from the morning to night, stress is a very common factor now. From home to work place stress prevails in the minds of the people. It is basically the procedure of responding to the internal or external environment. But stress should not be taken as a consequence of negative impact only. Stress can also emerge from a positive output. When people fail to handle them properly in the light of too much elation or melancholy, stress occurs. Since stress is a commonplace problem now, managing stress has become increasingly important. Stress management is a part of psychology where specialists help people to come out of a stressed situation. With the help of many approaches this problem of stress is solved. To know stress and stress management in depth it is essential for us to know what exactly they are.

STRESS:Stress is normally defined as a psychological effect that may be caused due to a positive or a negative thing. But in general and mainly in psychology stress is regarded as a negative feeling which gives rise to distress and eventually to depression.(Taylor, 2003) Stress is subjective in nature. It can be measured by various psychological methods. The level of stress and reason of stress various from person to person. Stress is not only experienced by humans alone. Animals too experience stress. According to the psychologists Walter Cannon and Hans Selye, earlier studies of stress were done on animal where external factors like heat and cold created the stress in the animals Thus we see that stress can be internal as well as external.

STRESSOR:They are the cause of the stress. Stressors can be defined as the stimulus which initiates something stress in one that is the response. These stressors can be on biological, psychological, physical or social in nature. It can create temporary or permanent harm to a human being. There are mainly three types of stressors which always keeps a person on the edge. (Hardy, 2006) They are as follows:

Acute time limited:This kind of a stressor is applied inside a lab or in an environment that can be controlled. Here the researcher provides the client with any stimulus that can cause anxiety and stress the person. Normally it is done to eradicate some phobias or something that the person is not too comfortable doing. The stress here is created only for some time.

Brief Naturalistic stressor: This is a stressor that is there in any natural environment and lasts till the time the person is present in that situation.

Stressful Event Sequences: Any traumatic event which causes stress to a person by losing its loved ones can be described as this kind of a stressor.

Chronic Stressor: This kind of stressor stays with the person throughout which forces the person to change its role in society and lifestyle.

Distant Stressor: This is a stressor that had occurred long ago but still continues to haunt the person and create stress.

STRESS MANAGEMENT:This is a process of eliminating or minimizing the stressor from a person’s life. It is done to reduce the effect of the stressful stimulus that is creating all the stress in the person.(Cris, 2007) Stress management is done through various psychological method and techniques which are helpful to minimize the stress.

PROBLEM OF STRESS IN SOCIETY

Stress has become a part and parcel of our lives. It has almost become a companion which does not treat us well. It is a common phenomenon that attacks children to older people and the consequences are of course undesirable. Due to intense competition in the world, children are sent to preschools from the time they can’t even speak properly. There too in that scenario mother force their children to be best. (Tyler, 2006) This gives rise to a sense of stress in the little ones. In school too, to secure higher marks, teenagers are always in tension and anxiety to beat the other and reach the first position. And this constant stress is created in school as well as in their homes. Parents now try to secure their unfulfilled dreams through their children without giving importance to their actual capability. Therefore often children fail to realize their parents’ dream and then the mental torture begins. In the workplace too, stress has become a commonplace. To rise higher up in the ladder coworkers play dirty politics with each other and always try to be in the good books in the boss. In doing so they lose their mental peace and can never enjoy bliss. In the process of earning money and become the best, children as well as adults undermine some very important aspects of life. Relationships and friendships are very important in one’s life and much more important than mere economical wealth. In undermining these they fall victim to stress and thus many health issues culminate in them. Physical as well as psychological problems are common issues created by stress. Life expectancy in people has reduced considerably due to stress and its impact. Stress gradually gives rise to depression which can be fatal at times. Thus it is very important introduce a stress management program in schools and offices so that individuals at least can reduce their level of stress. Identification of stressors is also very essential to downsize stress from people’s life. It is very important to ask for help before it goes beyond our control. Stress management is needed at this hour.

In the world of today stress is more pertinent in workplace than anywhere else. When there is a huge gap between demand of the job and a worker’s capability, the person is stressed. Problems with coworkers and boss also give rise to stress. It is very important to be satisfied in the workplace to avoid unnecessary stress. Huge workload, unfavorable environment, extended working hours, harassment and bullying from management are just few stressors which gives rise to anxiety. Thus, it is very important for the management to look after the stressed employee. A stress management team can be helpful in this condition where the employee will find some solace. If not curtailed at the right time it will definitely give rise to physical, psychological and emotional disorders that will be detrimental to the person.

There are some approaches that help a person to minimize stress from their lives. The two famous models are as follows.

TRANSACTIONAL MODEL OF STRESS :In 1984 Richard Lazarus and Susan Folkmanthought that stress occurs when the recourses fails to meet the demand of a person. It also occurs when the person can no longer cope with the pressure of the environment. Thus to control the perceived stress, stress management approaches were formulated. They said that to implement stress management it is essential to realize the cause of the stress. It is also important to identify those factors which are target to the factors of the stress. They said that the transaction between the person and the external environment initiates the stress within them. This transactional model says that unless the person perceives the stressor to be a threat, stress does not occur. If the situation is thought to be positive and challenging then stress can be avoided. Moreover, if the person does not give in and try to cope with the threatful or challenging situation then the person can avoid stress to attack them. This model also opines that a person should try to cope and manage the stressor themselves so that they do not fall victim of stress. People should be taught to harness their coping skills and develop confidence within them so that they do not fall prey to stress.

There are two concepts that are interlinked with Transactional model of stress. They are primary appraisal and secondary appraisal.

Primary Appraisal: Then a person first encounters a stressor; he or she evaluates where the environment is negative, challenging, and positive or can pose a threat to the person. This process of identification is called “Primary Appraisal”.

Secondary Appraisal: This process deals with the available solution that will help a person to come out of the stressful situation.

Along with these two factors, coping efforts are also required to combat the stress. They are strategies that help in mediation of primary appraisal as well as secondary appraisal.

INNATE HEALTH MODEL:This model was first introduced in 1984 in Florida Miami. (Seward, 2006)This method was specifically used among the poor who were truants, drug addicts, violence, domestics’ torture, low income families etc. This model says that all human being are born with some kind of innate health. It is said that this health gives the person from within to live, speak and to fight against the health that is creating problem in the environment. This model teaches people how to live life inside out. It tries to guide people’s thought towards prosperity. According to the model a person’s thought can create a sense of security as well as insecurity in which ever circumstances one is in. Any stressor that create problem a person can strive through it by its innate health. Innate health consists of wisdom, intelligence, knowledge, skills and creativity.

The above two approaches have some similarities as well as differences.

COMPARISON AND CONTRAST BETWEEN THE TWO APPROACHES:

Transactional Model and Innate Health Model both are approaches to management stress. They both are psychological approaches to help people minimize their stress. Both the models ask the victims to realize their source of stress and then develop confidence to fight against it. With their coping skills and innate health, people can manage the stimulus which can pose threat to them. The two models were introduced in the same year 1984. On the other hand there are dissimilarities too.

As mentioned above Transactional model is an approach that deals with the situation through primary and secondary appraisals. (Lehrer, 2007)It suggests the person to first realize and identify their source of stress and then fight against it before succumbing to it. It says that with the coping strategies people can overcome from it and can stay in peace.

But we see a difference in the innate health model. This model only focuses on the health that is innate in human beings. He said that all human beings have a capability to live, speak and fight against anything at is ill. This health is in built within people. It is said that in this innate health, wisdom, creativity, knowledge, intelligence and common sense. If these are applied properly then a person can cope with stress effectively. (Greenberger, 1995)

In spite of many differences in the two approaches, both transactional and innate health approaches are efficient methods of dealing with stress.  Both the approaches suggest that it is very important to realize the stressors and take the environment challenging and not negative. If people gather enough strength and confidence within them then they can fight out any situation. Coping skills are required to safe oneself from stress. Apart from these traditional methods of combating with stress there are other techniques too which were found effective. (Campbell)These methods are discussed below.

Meditation: Meditation has always been effective in managing any type of stress. Practices such as Tai Chi and listening to relaxation tapes help people to reduce their anxiety level.

Rest: Taking regular and enough rest helps people to combat with stress more effectively. They can fight against fatigue and any stressor much better than before.

Physical activities: Activities such as brisk walking, strolling in a pleasant weather, bathing in hot water, therapeutic massage sessions and jumping help to feel relaxed in anxiety. Bathing slowing helps to minimize stress.

Solitary Activities: At times it’s good to stay alone. Staying alone necessary does not mean being lonely. Reading books, some needle works, listening to soothing music, cookery etc. This type of activities develops a sense of confidence and satisfaction which help to reduce anxiety.

Solving problems: Through these exercises it helps a person to manage problem without being worked up. It also helps a person to manage time effectively. This practice reduces stress eventually.

Humor: Wit and fun is something we all love. It is even more desirable when one is under stress. Comedy movies and funny tapes help to lighten one. Humorous interaction with friends and colleagues and pranks at times make one feel better and help to minimize stress.

Medication: Though medication is not prescribed to everyone, still it reduces anxiety level from a person. It is effective but not very desirable unless it’s dire and uncontrollable.

These approaches and methods discussed above have been very effective in reducing stress. As far as my personal experience goes, transactional models as well as innate health model both have helped to come out of the stress I faced. Due to mounting work pressure at office and scuffle with my superior often led me into stress. When I realized that because of stress I was losing my temper and from a fun loving person I was turning into a gloomy and depressed person, I sought help to a psychologist. With the help of transactional approach I started to identify the source of the stress. I applied primary appraisal and later secondary. After this was done successfully, coping skills such as fight against the situation and gaining confidence helped to emerge as a winner. Gradually when my stress was reducing, the psychologist made me understood through innate health approach. I too realized that creativity and application of wisdom and intelligence helped me to judge the situation well and I did not fall prey to stress. Later to avoid stress I adopted methods such as swimming and listening to music. Therapeutic massages too helped me relax a lot. Thus I feel that stress management techniques are really helpful in reducing stress.

As we are familiar, stress is a very common factor in people’s lives. None are devoid of stress nowadays. From schools to colleges and from offices to homes, everywhere there is some kind of stressor that pressurizes us.(Arso, 2002) Often people fall prey to it and ruin their health and mental peace. Excessive stress gives rise to blood pressure, nausea, headache and depression. People get emotionally misbalanced when not treated at the right time. Thus the applications of stress management techniques are essential to lead a normal and a healthy life. Stress management is a very effective and efficient way of helping people reducing their stress. The approaches and techniques are extremely effective if applied properly. With the help of primary appraisal of transactional approach it helps to understand the stressor. Once the stressor is recognized then it becomes easy to eradicate it. Innate health approach gives a sense of confidence within a person so that they can fight against stress. People should also learn to avoid stressful situations that they know might create stress for them. Confidence in oneself and an optimistic attitude helps a person to diminish and gradually eliminate stress from life.

REFERNCE

Tyler.E. (2006).The Stress Culture – Why Society Thrives on Anxiety. Retrieved from http://voices.yahoo.com/the-stress-culture-why-society-thrives-anxiety-66338.html

Campbell. B. What Works for Managing CFIDS and Fibromyalgia. Reducing and Preventing Stress. Retrieved from http://www.cfidsselfhelp.org/library/5-reducing-and-preventing-stress

Hardy.M.(2006).Five Kinds of Stressors. Retrieved from

http://stress.lovetoknow.com/Five_Kinds_of_Stressors

Lehrer PM,WoolfolkRL,Sime WE(2007). Principles and Practice of stress management. The Guilford Press

Seward BS (2006) Managing stress: Principles and strategies for health and well-being:Boston;Jones and Bartlett Publishers

Greenberger D,Padesky CA (1995) Mind over mood: Change the way you feel by changing the way you think. The Guilford Press.N.Y

Taylor. M (2003). What is stress.Social Stress. 7. 2-3

Cris.B. (2007).Importance of stress management.Office stressors. 5. 23-24

Arso.G. (2002). Stress in life. Psychological Stresses. 6. 9-10

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