By JASON CARSON
Editor's Note: This is the first article of a three-part series on stress management.
It is now four weeks into Fall Semester and the long-forgotten words 'mid-term exam' loom in bold print on many a syllabus. It doesn't take a psychic to see the words 'I'm stressed out' written across the faces of many students as they attempt to cram four weeks' worth of information into their short-term memories one or two hours before an exam.
Stress is commonly perceived as a negative thing, often being equated with the pulling out of hair or with mental breakdowns.
Stress, however, is not always negative, and it is not always so noticeable. In fact, most people experience stress every day to some extent.
Michael Maughan, associate clinical professor in the Counseling and Career Center, said that stress is a necessary motivational factor in our lives.
'There's a certain amount of stress that serves as a stimulus for us, that keeps us going and marshals our resources into action,' Maughan said.
Keith Karren, professor of health sciences, agreed that all stress isn't bad and that we need stress to grow and learn.
'It's when too much stress comes our way that we can't handle it. We develop health problems,' Karren said.
Karren said that too much stress can lead to insomnia, irrationality, isolation from other people and fatigue.
Elena M. Cotton, a clinical psychotherapist in Washington, said that people under too much stress tend to be less efficient, frustrated, unable to do as much in their daily routine and possibly irritable. She also noted some possible physical effects of stress, such as headaches, stomach aches and ulcers.
Larry Tucker, professor and director of health promotion in the Health and Human Performance Department, said, 'In our society, the problem seems to be that we have many adaptations to make on a daily basis, so the body prepares itself for them.'
Tucker said that the body often responds to different kinds of stress in the same way, whether it's facing a hostile animal, or a final exam. Muscles become tense, the mouth often becomes dry and attention becomes focused on the situation causing the stress.
The important thing to realize is that people respond to stress in different ways, Cotton said. She said that keeping a journal is the one of the best ways to recognize how you respond to stress.
'If you're 'journaling,' you'll recognize patterns over time,' Cotton said.
Karren also encouraged journal keeping as a way to recognize what is causing the excessive stress. He said people should take note of the times of day they feel stress, who they are with and what they are doing.
Tucker said that external factors often force people to change and adjust, causing a stress response.
Maughan said, 'The stress we feel depends a lot on the way we interpret what happens to us. The main thing about stress is how we view things.'
Karren said that conflict creates stress, particularly internal conflict. One way to avoid stress is to live consistent with your values.
'Live your values,' Karren said. 'Have your daily life congruent with your value system. If you profess to be honest, then be honest. Be a truly honest person in your behavior, even when no one else is looking. Be true to yourself.'