Stress and Health Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Stress and Health - Essay Example This website provides basic, yet critical information on the relationship between stress and health. According to Krantz, Thorn and Kiecolt-Glasser (2013), stress refers to the â€Å"fight or flight response† when faced with a threat. This response results in increased blood pressure, elevated heart rate and energy production which could have serious health consequences irrespective of the magnitude of stress. Sudden emotional stresses could trigger arrhythmias, heart attacks or even sudden death. The longer the stress period, the worse the effects, thus the resultant irritability, lack of concentration and wearing and tearing of the body. Existing problems such as coronary diseases could worsen leading to cardiovascular risk. Having been informed of the negative health consequences of stress, the website would further educate Felina on ways to increase positive affect, including building strong relationships, resting and seeking help. This has been noted to decrease cardiovas cular risks and thus decrease the negative health effects of stress. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2013, February). Relaxation techniques for health: An introduction. Retrieved 15 January 2014 from http://nccam.nih.gov/health/stress/relaxation.htm From this website sponsored by the US Department of Health and Human Services through the National Institutes of Health, Felina would learn of the health benefits associated with effective stress management. In this case, relaxation techniques, including mind and body practices, release tension and counteract the negative effects of stress. The techniques slow down heart rate, decrease levels of stress hormones and oxygen consumption and lower blood pressure. Analyzing past studies, the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, NCCAM (2013) documents that relaxation reduces surgery and abdominal pain, nausea due to chemotherapy and smoking desire, controls urinary urgency and