DUNCAN OTIENO BADIA S.No.

111P02146 KENYA POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY COLLEGE STRESS:

HEALTH EDUCATION BPHIL APPLIED CHEMISTRY

DEFINATION: In medical term stress is described as, "a physical or psychological stimulus that can produce mental tension or physiological reactions that may lead to illness." When you are under stress, your adrenal gland releases corticosteroids, which are converted to cortisol in the blood stream. Cortisol has an immune suppressive effect in your body. It refers to the consequence of the failure of an organism human or animal to respond adequately to mental, emotional or physical demands, whether actual or imagined Stress is the mental, physical and emotional reactions you experience as a results of demands of your life.
Stress is the wear and tear our body experiences as we adapt to all influences, demands and strains to which it is exposed. The reaction can either be biological or psychological.

CAUSES OF TRESS Whenever our body feels something not favorable, then it tries to defend itself. If this situation continues for a long time, then our body is working overtime. There are several causes of stress. For example, you are under stress when you are worried about something, worried about your children, worried about the illness of your father, worried about your job security, or worried about your loans or similar things. You may be under stress due to several causes. Some of which are listed below. Physical environment Noise ,extreme temperature ,unsound ergonomic conditions Job content work overload ,work under load ,time pressure e.g. assembly line work
Work organisation Shift work ,Long work hours ,Change

Page 1 of 2

DUNCAN OTIENO BADIA S.No. 111P02146 KENYA POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY COLLEGE Interpersonal relationships

HEALTH EDUCATION BPHIL APPLIED CHEMISTRY

authoritarian attitudes of superiors ,harassment,verbal and physical abuse,inadequate or poor communication ,discrimination etc

Life experiences such as poverty, unemployment, clinical depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, heavy drinking or insufficient sleep Adverse experiences during development e.g. prenatal exposure to maternal stress ,poor attachment histories,sexual abuse HOW TO OVERCOME STRESS
Where possible, we should modify or eliminate the stress-producing situation or remove the individual from it y Either redesign the job and work environment y Endeavour to find the person another job within the organization. Methods of helping individual to cope with stress: Pharmacotherapy employs use of drugs that act on the cerebral sites of mental functions to offer relief. Psychotherapy - Doctor offers suggestion, persuasion, re-education, reassurance, support etc. Exercise and physical training Autogenic training for relaxation Meditation Deep breathing Exercise and physical training Autogenic training for relaxation Meditation Deep breathing

Psychological first-aid give the person a chance to speak his mind to relieve himself listen and offer good advice show understanding show consideration dont be too hard on the person Show an interest in the problems of the person under stress.

Page 2 of 2