Why Cope With Stress?

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An assignment or deadline can cause stress for one person and be a challenge and motivating factor for another. Some people view stressors as challenges rather than obstacles. These people probably have a positive attitude, and they are able to work out satisfactory alternatives to problems. They probably feel as though they are in control of events. Some people can find good even in a situation they don’t like, such as a job.

If you have ever had a bad day, when everything seems to go wrong, you may notice that some of the things causing you stress on that day did not bother you in the past. How you view a stressor has an effect on your ability to cope. You can’t always change a stressor or get rid of it, but you can change your perception of the stressor and your reaction to it.

No one can be completely free of stress, so it is important to learn how to cope with it.

1)Coping with stress can reduce or eliminate the physical and emotional symptoms associated with stress. Stress is more than just an emotional annoyance; if you do not reduce or eliminate your stressor, you may encounter serious physical problems. If a stressor is removed or reduced, your body can resist further damage and begin to repair whatever damage has already occurred. Otherwise your body may develop physical problems. If you have physical problems that are caused by stress, you may spend a lot of time and money trying to treat the symptoms of these problems.

2)Coping with the stress directly may eliminate many symptoms. Besides physical problems, not coping with stress can also cause a decline in school or job performance and an increase in personal conflicts.

3)Coping with stress can prevent the development of more serious symptoms of stress. If you are under constant stress, your body’s natural defenses are weakened and you can become sick. If left unmanaged, stress can eventually lead to mental illness or complete physical exhaustion.

4)Coping with stress can build your self-esteem. When you are under stress, you often feel a loss of control, and your self-esteem decreases. By coping with stress, you can gain some control over your response to stress even if you can’t completely control the cause of stress. In taking action, you gain confidence and boost your self-esteem by demonstrating to yourself that you are not helpless.

5)Coping with stress is an important tool for living successfully. As a teenager, you confront stressful situations just as adults do. Now is the time to learn how to cope with stress and to learn skills that you will use as an adult.