Stress is useful. Healthy stress is the body's way of preparing to protect itself. Unfortunately, most people experience too much stress. They are stressed for extended periods, and the physical mechanisms meant for protection start to cause more harm than good. The term "stress management" is a useful one: It implies the ability to control the natural stress in our lives and the skill to keep it from overwhelming and harming us.
Strengthened Immune System
Unchecked stress can weaken the immune system. The July 2004 issue of "Psychological Bulletin," published by the American Psychological Association, reported on a study that found short-term stress enhances the immune system. That's when the body prepares itself to fight infection or injury. Chronic stress, the study showed, creates too much "wear and tear"; the system falters. The study also noted that older people and those with chronic illness are even more likely to be adversely affected by stress. The techniques of stress management decrease, and possibly eliminate, chronic stress and help the body bounce back quickly after stressful periods.
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