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"After I had surgery for ovarian cancer last Spring, you came several times while I was in the hospital. My family and I all liked the seminars you helped to conduct, and your Stress Management booklet and tape. Thank you so much for bringing your experience, knowledge, kind spirit and humor to help me and my family in my healing process." Ovarian Cancer Patient

A Guide to Coping with Health Problems and Stress By Jon Seskevich RN, BSN, BA, CHTP Nurse Clinician, Duke University Health System Printer Friendly Version (PDF 10 pages) What is stress? How does stress affect the body? Signs of Stress Coping with Health Problems or Stress Relaxation Techniques Assertive Communication Rights How does relaxation look to an EEG (electroencephalogram)? What Is Stress? Most people consider stress as problems, worries, tension or pressure. It is valuable and practical to see stress relating to "change." Stress can come from any change that one must adjust to. Health problems can cause change in many dimensions of life! Stress can be an everyday fact of life for many.  Some thrive on stress. A stressor, something that causes stress, can be pleasant, unpleasant or neutral. Christmas, the holidays, a wedding, buying a house, having a child, all can be very positive but stressful. Stress, according to Hans Selye MD, is the wear and tear on our body, mind, and spirit brought about by our reactions to the events of life. The stress response is the end result of the complex interaction between the individual and his or her world. STRESSOR + INDIVIDUAL MAKEUP = THE BODY'S RESPONSE TO STRESS Stressors are things, events or people that cause us to change or adapt: Physical: Personal illness, noise, heat, cold, weather, smoke, pollution. Social: Illness in the family, relationships with family members, friends, neighbors, loved ones or coworkers. A stressful work situation, success, money problems, a major change in family life like getting married, or divorced. Mental: Being in limbo, waiting and not knowing what will be happening, choices in general, not being able to meet a goal, frequently having to be perfect, quick temper, control issues, or addictions Strong emotional reactions can come from or cause more stress. Individual make-up (mind-body-spirit): Each person is different genetically and has unique strengths and weaknesses. These differences include our age, sex, physical fitness, places where tension may build or react in our bodies, illness and health habits. We all have attitudes, beliefs and personalities. Each person interprets and responds to stressors distinctly. This is in part due to what we have learned in the past. Learning can come from family, peers, society, church, school, movies and TV. Next: How does stress affect the body?