Not being able to make ends meet, balancing a full-time job and a household, going through a divorce, coping with illness or a death, functioning on lack of sleep or relaxation, engaging in or exposed to arguments, preparing for an exam, planning a wedding or major event can give any one of us the "headaches and heartaches of life"�stress!

Stress is the "wear and tear" our bodies experience as we adapt to changes in our lives. We experience it no matter how minimal the change and it can be a positive or negative influence.

A positive stress influence is a natural surge of energy that gears our bodies up for a transition by pumping adrenaline into our system enabling us to focus, perform and then shortly thereafter wind down.

But the problem for so many people today is the inability to wind down or relax once a challenge has been met. And we find ourselves being plunged into never-ending pressures, resulting in a vicious cycle of on-going negative stress influences. In addition to adrenaline, stress releases fatty acids and glucose into the blood stream. The fatty acids and glucose convert into natural fat and cholesterol, deposit on the walls of the arteries and create an impediment to blood flow through the arteries that contributes to high blood pressure.

Negative stress influences or chronic stress are harmful to the body and can cause many problems. According to Iowa Cardiovascular Health, Assessment, Management, & Prevention Services, statistics and facts show:

• One out of seven American men have a heart attack or disabling heart disease before the age of 60.

• Two out of five adults suffer from hypertension.

• Long-term stress contributes to hypertension and heart disease.

• Hormones are released that increases the chance of blood clots.

• Stress causes muscular, respiratory, and skin problems.

• Stress causes sexual dysfunction, gastrointestinal and eating disorders, and chemical dependency.

According to research, smoking cigarettes raises a person�s heart rate an average of 14 beats per minute; combined with stress the heart rate increases to 38 beats per minute. Caffeine�s effects are similar to cigarettes and diet is a contributing factor in holding on to stress.

Lifestyles and environment play roles in the amount of stress one may encounter. Although our threshold for stress and symptoms may vary, the effects, nonetheless, are the same�harmful. Because of what stress does to the body, it is imperative to recognize your own stress factors and find ways to manage them. There are many circumstances that contribute to stress. Some of them are the demands of being a student, taking a test, having major assignments due, living away from family for the first time, and making career choices.

Occupational stresses include working long hours, adverse working conditions, repetitive or boring work, and odd work shifts, Major life events, changes, or crises�such as divorce or separation, death or illness, or moving�contribute to negative stress. An accumulation of minor annoyances and irritations, which may include having too many things to do, unfinished tasks, waiting in lines, lack of sleep, interruptions, noise, and pollution, increase stress.

It is impossible to avoid some stressful situations, but it is feasible to reduce the number of demands you have and develop better coping skills. One thing many people fall victim to is not recognizing their limits. A lot of energy is wasted trying to get a week�s worth of tasks done in eight hours and find ourselves running on empty.

According to stress management specialists, there are many simple ways to reduce stress. It is beneficial to let go of what you simply cannot do at the moment and set aside less important tasks for later; take breaks. Try not to take on new commitments when overwhelmed; avoid anxious people before exams; presentations, etc., along with unnecessary stressful situations. Learn to say "no!"

Find relaxing and quiet places to escape to when stressed; get plenty of rest, exercise and maintain a balanced diet. Avoid alcohol or drugs to reduce stress. Finish tasks, get help with more difficult situations, also prepare better for tests, workshops or other challenges.

Body massages, aromatherapy, yoga and just talking to someone frankly can also curtail stress. Separate work from recreation and develop a sense of spirituality to help overcome the pressures that come with daily life.

When you are "stressed out" you become sick, helpless, depressed, anxious and not much good to yourself or anyone else. Learning to manage and cope with stressful situations can help you live a longer and more fulfilled life.