Makinde, Oluwayemisi A.

Dept of Human Kinetics and Health Education,

National Open University, Abuja.

Abstract

Life is full of demands, frustrations, expectations and deadlines. These and many more have made stress a lifestyle crisis. Stress has been known to be eustress or distress, depending on one’s ability to handle life situations as they come by. Studies around the world have found stress and stress related illness to be a major contributory factor to the six leading causes of death in the world. Stressors have a major influence on our mood, sense of well-being, behaviour and health which can be adaptive to the young and healthy individuals in some cases. However, if the stressor is unremitting, the long term effects of stressors can damage health. The relationship between stressors and disease is affected by the nature, number, and persistence of the stressors as well as the individual’s biological vulnerability, psychosocial resources, and learned patterns of coping. Understanding the sources and impact of stress would facilitate the development of effective counselling modules and intervention strategies by psychologists, counsellors and health practitioners to help alleviate stress. This paper looks at the concept of stress, stressors, effects of stress on health and suggests strategies for stress management of workers.

Key Words: Stress, Stressors, Eustress, Allostasis, Homeostasis.