An existence with no stress at all would be very dull. People experience varying degrees of its effects on a daily basis - from finding a parking ticket on your windshield to suffering the loss of a loved one. Too much stress can be debilitating to your physical, mental and emotional health, creating feelings of tension, anxiety and fear as well as making your body go into crisis mode.
It is estimated that more than 40 percent of adults have adverse health effects from stress. Ailments related to stress account for 75 to 90 percent of all visits to the doctor¿s office.
While you cannot escape stressful events in your life that require you to adjust to a change, you can control your response to those events.
Do you know the signs of stress and strategies for decreasing their effect on your well being? This short quiz may help you learn how to respond to stress in a more healthful way.
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Stress causes disease.
True
False
Incorrect. Stress can complicate or worsen symptoms of disease but it does not cause the disease.
Correct! Stress can complicate or worsen symptoms of disease but it does not cause the disease.
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Chronic stress can lead to suicide.
True
False
Correct! It can also lead to violent behavior, heart attack and stroke
Incorrect. It can also lead to violent behavior, heart attack and stroke
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"Type A" personalities handle stress better than other people.
True
False
Incorrect. They are subject to a near-constant state of over-arousal and tension coupled with anxiety and depression.
Correct! They are subject to a near-constant state of over-arousal and tension coupled with anxiety and depression.
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One physical symptom of stress is shortness of breath.
True
False
Correct! Others include pounding heart, reduced sex drive and stomach cramps.
Incorrect. Others include pounding heart, reduced sex drive and stomach cramps.
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We need some stress in our lives.
True
False
Correct! Without at least some tension in our daily lives, existence would be dull.
Incorrect. Without at least some tension in our daily lives, existence would be dull.
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Stress has been linked to irritable bowel syndrome.
True
False
Correct! Researchers, however, do not yet understand the link.
Incorrect. Researchers, however, do not yet understand the link.
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A comforting cup of coffee before bed can have a calming effect.
True
False
Incorrect. Caffeine boosts a stressed body. Better to drink a cup of warm milk, which has tryptophan in it - a natural sleeping aid.
Correct! Caffeine boosts a stressed body. Better to drink a cup of warm milk, which has tryptophan in it - a natural sleeping aid.
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Keep a TV in the bedroom to help you fall asleep.
True
False
Incorrect. Keep the bedroom strictly for sleep and sex. Make it comfortable and warm.
Correct! Keep the bedroom strictly for sleep and sex. Make it comfortable and warm.
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Delegating some of your responsibilities will help reduce the effects of stress.
True
False
Correct! Try not to be superman or superwoman.
Incorrect. Try not to be superman or superwoman.
For more information on women's health matters, any of the programs and services listed, or a referral to a Cedars-Sinai physician or program, call 1-800-CEDARS-1 (1-800-233-2771)
