Part 1 - Your First Aid Kit For
Stress

• Stress: What is it?
• What is Your Stress Index?
• Understanding Stress
• The Stress Response
• Coping with Stress
• Stages of Stress
• Effects on Health
• Easy Ways to Take Pressure
  Off Yourself
• Physical Skills
• Mental Skills Have Some
  Fun!!
• Preventing Stress
• 18 Tips for Dealing with
  Stressand Tension

Part 2 - Resources to Help You
Cope With Stress

• Recreation & Leisure
• Coping by Learning
• Counselling and Support
• Evaluating Educational and
  Helping Services
• Internet Resources - Stress Links

Part 3 - Stress Stoppers

• Stress Stretch
• Smart Goals
• Comedy Break
• Walking Breaks

Effects on Health

Many people suffering from excessive stress have symptoms of poor health. People with very high stress levels have feelings of being tense or anxious. In addition, headaches, stomach complaints or symptoms that mimic old illnesses are common.

In an attempt to cope with stress, some people drink too much alcohol, abuse drugs, blame others (e.g. spouse or parent), and may become physically violent, most often with family members.

Mental Health Problems

Depression and anxiety may be the result of chronic stress. If mental health problems are ignored, they can develop into serious mental illnesses. Clinical depression, left untreated, leads to suicide in 15% of cases. Anxiety disorders take a variety of forms, ranging from general anxiety to panic attacks. Anxiety can become severe and disabling.

For further information about depression, anxiety and other mental illnesses, contact your local branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association.

Cardiovascular Disease

Although the relationship between stress and heart disease is still being investigated, preliminary evidence suggests that stress may contribute to the development of heart disease and stroke. It is thought that certain individuals with high levels of stress or prolonged stress may:

*have higher blood cholesterol

*experience increases in blood pressure

*have blood platelets that are more likely to clot (clump together inside the blood )

Further, it is known that stress-filled lifestyles make it difficult for a person to make or maintain resolutions to lead a healthy life. Instead of exercising to relieve stress, some people respond by overeating, eating unhealthy foods, excessive alcohol consumption or smoking. Such negative reactions to stress merely increase the risk of developing heart disease and stroke. Becoming aware of your stressors and learning how to deal effectively deal with them will enable you to get on the right track for a healthier lifestyle. For further information about heart disease and stroke contact your local chapter of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada.