Battling Stress

By Kristi Patrice Carter

The link between frequent headaches and stress is a serious one and needs to be thoroughly understood to be avoided. Stress can be caused by many things: physical, environmental and emotional factors all play a part. Stress causes tension which causes pain, and all too often that pain comes in the form of a stress-and-tension-induced headache.

Physical stressors include hunger, cold, extreme tiredness, atmospheric conditions created by change in the seasons and remaining in the same physical position for too long at a time, as well as walking or standing in the hot sun for long hours, eye strain due to lots of reading and watching TV for too long at too close a range. Most of the time we can control these, yet too often we don’t. So if you forget to take your allergy meds, or you’re bent on studying all night for a final, dropping those extra few pounds in too much of a hurry, or just plain determined to finish the project before you without a respite, you’re setting yourself up for physical stress—and probably a stress-caused headache as well.

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By L. John Mason

It is unfortunate. The news media is full of stories that indicate that stress levels are higher than ever before and denial is still the “preferred” coping strategy. Today, as I write this article, the radio, TV, newspapers, and internet are screaming about a South Korean college student who killed 32 fellow students and teachers at Virginia Tech in Virginia. The pundits are raging that stress is at higher levels than ever before “especially for college students.” The rumors discuss the lack of mental health support and the sales of guns to “unstable” people including this college student.

Everyone in our society is impacted by increased stress, not just college students. Our society is not alone. Many societies and cultures around our planet are feeling the pressure of increased pressures and stress. It is common to read stories about people “going postal,” “road raging,” “freaking out,” “rage-a-holics,” “being uptight,” and “losing it.” We are more fragile than ever before. We have less support and have higher expectations. There is more substance abuse practiced by people who are trying to “cope.” There is more “high test” caffeine feeding busy schedules and more commercials regarding sleeping problems.

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By Rosemary Lichtman, Ph.D.

When a crisis hits - the end of a marriage, the loss of a job, or the death of a loved one - it throws you into a complete tailspin. Suddenly your world is no longer safe and secure. What can you do to pick up the pieces and take the first steps toward living a full life again?

Lisa was divorced when her son was still in grade school. Soon after, she lost her job in the wake of massive lay offs. Finding herself at a crossroads, she decided to take a chance and follow the passion that she had dreamed about for years - to write a book. “Going forward, I feel empowered and alive. After years of working in the support of others, I am now the artist. It is a truly wondrous experience as I move into the next phase of my life.”

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