Stress Busters: The Stress Cycle

A century of stress

Welcome to life in the twenty-first century where daily stress is so pervasive it seems to be a way of life. We feel pressured to keep up with jobs, family, and the myriad responsibilities of everyday life. Hardly a moment goes by when we are not subject to some form of stress. Many of us end up anxious, depressed, and exhausted – the price we pay for our complex lifestyles. Understanding stress and finding ways of dealing with it effectively are key to living on a natural high. We'll be looking at how stress affects our minds and bodies, as well as at some of the common substances we use to deal with it – even though they are ineffective in the long run. We'll examine the natural antistressors that do work, and you'll even see how stress can be turned to your advantage.

Here's a scene that you may be able to relate to (substitute your spouse, your elderly neighbor, or your precious Siamese cat):

It's Monday morning, and you have just enough time to drop your daughter at school and get to work in time for an important meeting. Just as you're both ready to leave the house, she complains of a tummy ache. She does look a bit flushed, so you stop and take her temperature. She has a fever, and you know you can't send her to school. Your mind races: "Should I stay home with her? Can I get a sitter? If not, what do I do about work?"

You have suddenly become a victim of forces beyond your control, pulling you in two directions at once and creating a one-way ticket to stress that wreaks havoc on body and mind.

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