ENL 110 “P”

Dr. Rita Nasrallah

Activity 2- Read the following excerpts with a critical eye.

Excerpt 1- More From WebMD: webmed.com

Causes of Stress

Everyone has different stress triggers. Work stress tops the list, according to surveys. Forty
percent of U.S. workers admit to experiencing office stress, and one-quarter say work is the
biggest source of stress in their lives.

Causes of work stress include:

 Being unhappy in your job

 Having a heavy workload or too much responsibility
 Working long hours
 Having poor management, unclear expectations of your work, or no say in the decision-
making process
 Working under dangerous conditions
 Being insecure about your chance for advancement or risk of termination
 Having to give speeches in front of colleagues
 Facing discrimination or harassment at work, especially if your company isn't supportive

Excerpt 2- www.helpguide.org

The causes of stress

Isolation and stress

Since social engagement appears to be our best defense against stress, isolation or a lack of
positive, consistent human interaction can be both a stressor in itself and exacerbate other causes
of stress.

The situations and pressures that cause stress are known as stressors. We usually think of
stressors as being negative, such as an exhausting work schedule or a rocky relationship.
However, anything that puts high demands on you or forces you to adjust can be stressful. This
includes positive events such as getting married, buying a house, going to college, or receiving a
promotion.

Of course, not all stress is caused by external factors. Stress can also be self-generated, for
example, when you worry excessively about something that may or may not happen, or have
irrational, pessimistic thoughts about life.

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ENL 110 “P”
Dr. Rita Nasrallah

Common external causes of stress Common internal causes of stress

 Major life changes  Chronic worry

 Work or school  Pessimism
 Relationship difficulties  Negative self-talk
 Financial problems  Unrealistic expectations/Perfectionism
 Being too busy  Rigid thinking, lack of flexibility
 Children and family All-or-nothing attitude

What causes excessive stress depends, at least in part, on your perception of it. Something that's
stressful to you may not faze someone else; they may even enjoy it. For example, your morning
commute may make you anxious and tense because you worry that traffic will make you late.
Others, however, may find the trip relaxing because they allow more than enough time and enjoy
listening to music while they drive.

Excerpt 3-Stress at Work in a Slowing Economy

Mujtaba, Bahaudin G; Lara, Alejandrina; King, Catherine; Johnson, Valencia; Mahanna,
Teri.Journal of Applied Management and Entrepreneurship 15.2  (Apr 2010): 26-42.
Stress and its Leading Causes

Stress is a normal part of life and it pushes people to learn and grow. At the same time, too much
of it can cause significant problems (Huang and Mujtaba, 2009). The most damaging types of
stress are extended, unexpected, and unmanageable stress. If one does not take the necessary
action to manage these kinds of stress, then it can lead to health problems (Romas & Sharma,
2007).

Stress is experienced in two forms: eustress and distress (Mujtaba & McCartney, 2010, p. 75).
Eus tress is motivating and can initiate creativity and positive mental attitudes. It is short-term
stress that motivates and focuses energy, is perceived as within one's coping ability, feels
exciting, and improves performance. It prepares your mind and body with the strength needed to
handle specific tasks and life events. People often experience eustress. When professionals are
facing project deadlines, eustress is what helps them focus and find the energy needed to
complete the project to the best of their ability. Overall, eustress is the type of stress that gives
one the strength to fight for what he/she needs to succeed in almost anything he/she does.

Distress is a negative de-motivating stress that can often place an individual in a situation of
inactivity or inertia (Selye, 1974; Mujtaba & McCartney, 2010, p. 75, Mujtaba et al., 2009).
According to Mujtaba and McCartney (2010, p. 77), "distress, especially chronic distress, tends
to make your immune system more susceptible to colds, infections, inflammations, [etc.]."
Distress is caused by many different stressors at home, work, or anywhere else. Examples of
work and employment concerns that can cause distress are excessive job demands, job

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ENL 110 “P”
Dr. Rita Nasrallah

insecurity, conflicts with coworkers and supervisors, and insufficient authority necessary to carry
out tasks.

Stress is a physical and emotional experience that the human body is exposed to daily (Selye,
1956). Stressors at work, at home, within society, and within the environment are several
examples that expose one to the consequences involved in dealing with stress. The three kinds of
stress are acute stress, episodic acute stress, and chronic stress (Miller, 2004). Acute stress is the
most common form of stress. It comes from demands and pressures of the recent past and
anticipated demands and pressures of the near future. It is thrilling and exciting in small doses,
but too much is exhausting. Miller (2004) says, "Overdoing on short-term stress can lead to
psychological distress, tension headaches, upset stomach, and other symptoms (para. 2)." Acute
stress is short-term in nature and coincides with specific physical side effects, such as clammy
hands, rapid heartbeat, dry mouth, etc. Situations that may lead to acute stress are everyday
situations such as a job interview, deadline for school or work, an exam, being pulled over by a
police officer, or a conflict with someone you love. Acute stress can become a part of anyone's
life and is highly treatable and easily managed. Episodic acute stress is when one suffers from
acute stress frequently, and is always in a rush, but always late. If something can go wrong, it
does. According to Miller (2004), the cardiac prone or 'Type A' personality is similar to an
extreme case of episodic acute stress. Type A people have an excessive competitive drive,
aggressiveness and time urgency (Miller, 2004). Symptoms of those who suffer from episodic
acute stress are symptoms of extended over arousal: persistent tension headaches, migraines,
hypertension, chest pain, and heart disease (Miller, 2004). Episodic acute stress is difficult to
manage because sufferers can be extremely resistant to change. Chronic stress is stress due to
prolonged experiences. It comes when someone never sees a way out of a miserable situation.
There are many physical side effects that go along with chronic stress such as heart disease, high
blood pressure, loss of appetite, depressions, sleeplessness, ulcers, etc. Chronic stress can stem
from traumatic, early childhood experiences that become internalized and remain painful
(Mujtaba and McCartney, 2010; Miller, 2004). Other examples of chronic stress could be a long
term workplace problem, prolonged internal issues, a broken relationship, and financial worries
(Mujtaba et al., 2009). Chronic stress is difficult to treat and it may kill one through suicide,
violence, heart attack, stroke, and, perhaps, even cancer (Miller, 2004). People suffering from it
may wear down to a final, fatal breakdown.

Answer the following questions:

1- What does critical reading imply, and what are its steps?

2- Which excerpt contains the most reliable information, why?

3- Based on what was read, what are the causes of stress?

4- Select a concrete detail from the excerpt that contains the most reliable information and
rewrite its content in your own words.