Facts About Stress

The facts about stress that you will find on this page are based on data that I compiled from so many reliable sources ranging from institutes that study stress to government funded studies that look at the overall impact of stress. You will also find a special section on facts about stress management as well facts on stress in college. More than ever before, our children in college and universities are badly impacted by stress due to so many challenges not to mention poor job prospects in light of a heavily distressed global economy.

General Stress Facts

1. According to the National Institute For Occupational Safety and Health in the United States despite much research confusion still reigns about the causes, effects and prevention of job stress.
2. Also looking for stress statistical figures? Follow link to see stress statistics covered in detail.
3. Job stress pertains to the emotional and physical harmful responses that take place due to a mismatch between job requirements and the capabilities, resources and needs of an employee.
4. There is no single agreed definition of stress due to the fact that its a highly subjective phenomenon differing from one individual to the other.
5. To this day there is so much confusion over what stress is so much that back in 1951 a research scientists concluded in the British Medical Journal that, "Stress in addition to being itself, was also the cause of itself, and the result of itself."
6. The closest one respected scientist got to defining stress was "The rate of wear and tear on the body" before years later commenting that "Everyone knows what stress is, but nobody really knows."
7. Allergies occurring from nowhere, unexplained and frequently are a common sign and symptom of stress apart from gritting and grinding of teeth, confusion, feelings of loneliness, feet tapping and rapid speech amongst as many as 100 other symptoms.
8. Studies in the United States informing facts about stress show that most American adults believe they are under much more stress than some 10 or 20 years ago.
9. As may as 75 to 90% of visits to doctors offering primary care are stress related.
10. Modern day stress is spreading more quickly, is tenacious and treacherous because it is being induced by psychological factors (e.g. work load, financial lack) more than biologically beneficial physical factors such as lion threats, for example, which should cause an outpouring of adrenaline giving the human body the natural ability for flight.
11. Stress induced by loneliness, poverty, bereavement, depression and discrimination are linked to compromised immune system defenses giving an upper hand to common cold, herpes and even cancer.
12. Job fears and stress are the number one causes of stress in America according to the American Institute of Stress.
13. The 10 least stressful professions in America are audiologist, dietitian, software engineer, computer programmer, dental hygienist, speech pathologist, philosopher, mathematician and occupational therapist.
14. America's top 10 stressful jobs are real estate agent, emergency medical technician, stockbroker, architect, advertising account executive, newscaster, photojournalist, senior corporate executive, public relations officer, commercial pilot.
15. Included in this facts about stress list are the most stressful events in life which include death of spouse or mate, divorce, getting married, release from prison, pregnancy, being a victim of crime among others.
16. The top three most stressful cities in America are Los Angeles, New York, Chicago.

Facts About Stress In College

1. Turning our attention to facts about stress in college, according to CNBC fresh college graduates are preferring and seeking after jobs that bring them less stress.
2. The leading college stressors are workload, hard tests, creating a new social network for new college students, less parental support, adjusting to roommates, logistics for living independent e.g. laundry, car insurance.
3. Top recommendations to avoid stress at college include not being stressed about being stressed, sleeping enough, eat a healthy diet, finding quiet time, exercise, finding social distance and not forgetting some fun.
4. More facts about stress in college show that levels of anxiety among college students have been on the rise going as far back as the 1950s. A 2000 report indicated that as many as 7% of college students had anxiety disorders in 1999.
5. According to The American Freshman: National Norms Fall 2010 survey involving 200000 new college students “Men tend to find more time for leisure and activities that relieve stress, like exercise and sports, while women tend to take on more responsibilities, like volunteer work and helping out with their family, that don’t relieve stress.”
6. According to Dr. Leslie Nickell, associate dean for health professional students at University of Toronto all university students experience stress. Up to 30% of them are depressed and feel anxious.
7. Experts note that 1 in 10 college students have thoughts of suicide and this is neither abnormal nor out of the ordinary.

Facts About Stress Management

1. Now turning to facts about stress management we see from the following list that there are key things we can do to manage stress better.
2. Physical activities such as walking, jogging, swimming and so on are a proven and effective way of relieving and preventing stress.
3. Top recommended stress management tips include healthy eating, exercise, massage, enough sleep, open up to a friend about problems and planning out time and prioritizing activities.
4. Smiling is an effective tool against stress as it transmits nerve impulses to our emotional centre located in the brain resulting in calm brought about by some neurochemicals.
5. Doctors note that stress tends to reside in our jaws amongst other body parts. Stopping teeth gritting is therefore important.
6. When stress sets in, avoid feeling like a victim as this increases feelings of stress and helplessness.
7. The boldness to say no is an important asset when it comes to stress management. It helps you maintain your limits.

Key References

• The American Institute Of Stress
• CareerCast
• CNBC
• About.com
• NYTimes
• University of Oklahoma Police Department
• Health Zone
• Mind Tools
• Readers Digest