Economic Conditions Raising Stress Levels in Workers, Part 1

11 October 2010 BOB DOUGHTY:This is SCIENCE IN THE NEWS in VOA Special English. I'm Bob Doughty. BARBARA KLEIN: And, I'm Barbara Klein. Today, we will tell about stress and its effects on human health. Stress is a condition resulting from mental or emotional tension. It is how your body reacts to physical, chemical and other influences. BOB DOUGHTY:Stress affects everybody, every day. There is no way to avoid it. One of the first people to study the condition was Hans Selye of Canada. He said the only way to escape stress is death. Professor Selye found there are two kinds of stress. He said one kind is good for us. He called this stress, eustress. This type of stress is linked to fun, exploration or excitement. Eustress is the stress you experience from riding a roller coaster or meeting a goal. It can keep our bodies and minds strong. It gives us the push we need to deal with an urgent situation. BARBARA KLEIN: Negative or bad stress is often called distress. Too much of it can be harmful. Some of the leading causes of stress include the death of a loved one, ending a marriage, sickness and financial problems. Many Americans say a leading cause of their stress is the current economy. High unemployment rates and job cuts have caused concerns about the future. Last month, one study found that sixty-two percent of Americans believe economic conditions are getting worse. Forty-seven percent of those asked described current economic conditions as poor. A year earlier, forty-four percent gave economic conditions a poor rating. The Gallup Organization reported the information. A separate study found that seventy-five percent of American workers and retirees are very concerned about their financial future. One-third of those asked said stress levels about their financial situation are much higher now than a year ago. The Principal Financial Group announced the results of the study. BOB DOUGHTY:Medical studies have shown that too much stress can weaken the body's ability to fight disease. It may make an existing health problem worse. Or it can lead to sickness or serious health problems. For example, your body reacts to stressful situations by raising your blood pressure and making your heart work harder. This is dangerous if you already have high blood pressure or heart disease. BARBARA KLEIN: Anything you see as a problem can cause stress. It can result from everyday situations or major problems. Stress results when something causes your body to act as if it is under attack. Causes of stress can be physical, such as injury or disease. They can also be mental, like problems involving your family, job, health or finances. The tension of stress can interfere with sleep or cause anger or sadness. A person may become more forgetful or find it harder to think clearly. Losing one's sense of humor is another sign of an unhealthy amount of stress. Many people who feel stressed may take on harmful behaviors in an attempt to deal with the stress. This includes eating too much, drinking too much, smoking more or using drugs. All of these things can lead to other problems. Source: Voice of America