Stress in healthy doses actually helps us to achieve and produce in our lives.  You have an exam to take, and this incurs stress as you study and learn so you can pass the test.  This kind of stress is not only unavoidable, but quite necessary in life.    Stress becomes a problem, however, when it starts causing breakdowns in your body, mind and actions.  Below is a list of the effects on your mind, body and behavior.

The following is a list of some of the pysychological effects of excessive stress:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Guilty feelings
• Anger and rage
• Emotional volatility
• Insecurity
• Cognitive Deficits including confusion, forgetfulness and poor concentration.

Do you ever experience:

• Chronic pain including muscle aches, headaches, chest pain, and jaw pain?
• Constipation or diareah?
• Fatigue?
• Pounding heart?
• Stomach upset?
• Weight gain or loss?
• Insomnia?
• Low sex-drive or erectile dysfunction?
• Shortness of breath

• Socially isolated? 
  
• Rageful?
• Self-destructive?  
• Over-stuffed or undernourished?
• Abusing or over-using drugs or alcohol?
• In conflictual relationships?

 
The problem begins when your level of stress gets to the point where it is no longer helping you be more productive, but causing a breakdown in your well-being.  Stress can cause health problems.  In working with stress, the goal is to find ways to mobilize in a healthy, non-self-destructive manner.  In my practice i use tools such as meditation and breathing exercises to help regulate the nervous system.  Learning how to engage the parasympathetic nervous system (relaxation response) is the key to adapting to increased levels of stress.  We can't always avoid levels of stress in our lives, but we can learn how to function better through awareness, conscious action and deep relaxation.