Confronting Stress

 

直面压力

Stress is defined as the body's response to any demand made upon it. Long ago, stress was a matter of survival. Increased pulse, breathing, and alertness kept our ancestors ready for dangers and prepared them to "run or fight".

压力被定义为人体根据外部需求产生的一种反应。在远古时代，压力使我们生存。加快跳动的脉搏和心跳以及警戒让我们的祖先对危险做出准备，并决定是战是逃。

Today stress result from negative and positive events. A job promotion or graduation from college can be a positive stressful event. A job loss, financial troubles, or a death in the family can be a negative stressful event. Despite the different times, our body's reaction remains the same as the caveman's.

如今，压力来源于一些正面或负面的事件。工作晋升或大学毕业带来的压力都是积极的，而失业，经济问题或者家庭成员死亡带来的压力都是消极的。尽管所处年代不同，但我们身体上的反应和前人是一样的。

Some of the effects that we experience from stress can include: depression, or feeling really sad about nothing in particular; anxiety, or a fear that makes you feel tense or nervous; anger, or a feeling of hostility towards persons or events; panic, or a feeling of losing control. Symptoms can include panic, sweating, dizziness, breathlessness, and palpitations. Stress can lower our immune systems and make our bodies more susceptible to infections, colds, and flu.

压力可产生以下后果：失落—莫名的伤感，焦虑—使你感到紧张的恐惧感，愤怒，对人对事抱有敌意，恐慌--感到失去控制。症状包括：恐慌流汗，头晕眼花，呼吸无力以及心慌气短。压力会降低我们免疫系统的能力，使我们更容易受到感染以及感冒和流感的侵袭。

Stress will always be a part of your life. It is important to recognize what gives you stress and learn how to control your responses to those thing that cause stress.

压力在生活中一直存在。很重要的一点就是要知道压力来自哪里，并且学会怎样控制面临压力时的反应。

Here is a list of the top ten stress-busters that you can use to manage your own stress:

下面列出了十个减压良方：

1. Try not to "self-medicate" with diet formulas, alcohol, or over-the-counter medicines such as sleeping pills. Covering up a problem can make the stress even worse.

1. 不要试着用饮食配方，酒精或安眠药等非处方药来自我治疗。掩盖问题反而会增加压力。

2. Do something just for yourself. A trip to the hair salon, or having a massage can do wonders when you're under a lot of stress.

2. 为自己做点事情。去次发廊或者做次按摩都会在你感到压力时有所帮助。

3. Eat at least one hot meal a day. Good nutrition is important because it gives your body the fuel it needs to deal with daily stress.

3. 每天至少吃一次热餐。营养均衡十分关键，因为它为你的身体提供解决日常生活压力的能量。

4. Share how you are feeling with someone you can trust and who will listen to you. There is an old saying that "A joy shared is doubled, and a sorrow shared is halved."

4. 与你信任的人或者能够倾听你故事的人分享下你的感受。常言道“快乐因分享而倍增, 忧伤因分享而减半。”

5. Exercising at least three days per week for at least 30 minutes each time improves your fitness and your sense of well being.

5. 每周至少运动三天，每次至少30分钟，这可以增强你的体质并使你感觉自我良好。

6. If you are a smoker, stop smoking and start breathing clean air. Smoking and stress are a dangerous combination.

6. 如果你吸烟，那就戒了吧，呼吸下新鲜空气。在有压力时吸烟后果很危险。

7. If you are a coffee or cola lover, cut down on these and other drinks that contain caffeine.

7. 如果你喜欢喝咖啡或者可乐，那就不要再喝这些含有咖啡因的饮料了。

8. Learn and use relaxation exercises such as yoga, meditation, or other stress-relieving activities of interest to you

8. 学习进行一些有益放松的运动，例如瑜伽，冥想或者其他你感兴趣的解压活动。

9. Laughter is the best medicine. It is. Laughing releases chemicals in the brain that help promote a relaxation response. Rent a comedy from a video store. Share it with friends and laugh your stress away.

9. 笑容是解压的特效药。真是这样。大笑使大脑释放化学物质，它可以生成一种放松的反应。去音像店租一张喜剧影片。和你的朋友们一起观看并把压力笑走。

10. Get regular physical exams. Your healthcare provider can spot health problems related to stress and can provide you with suggestions.

10. 定期检查身体。你的健康医师可以指出与压力相关的健康问题，并提供良好的建议。