Stress is an inevitable part of life that everyone - adults, teens, and even children - experiences at times. Stress can be beneficial by helping people develop the skills they need to cope with and adapt to new and potentially threatening situations throughout life. However, the beneficial aspects of stress diminish when it is severe enough to over-­whelm a person`s ability to cope effectively.

Sometimes after experiencing a traumatic event that is especially frightening, including personal or environmental disasters, or being threatened with an assault - people have a strong and lingering reaction to stress. Strong emotions, jitters, and sadness or depression may all be part of this normal and temporary reaction to the stress of an overwhelming event. But when the symptoms of stress are intense or last too long, it can cause people to feel overwhelmed and have an effect on their ability to cope.

Common reactions to a stressful event can include:

Disbelief and shock

Fear and anxiety about the future

Difficulty making decisions

Apathy and emotional numbing

Loss of appetite

Nightmares and reoccurring thoughts about the event

Anger

Increased use of alcohol and drugs

Sadness and depression

Feeling powerless

Crying

Sleep difficulties

Headaches, back pains, and stomach problems

Difficulty concentrating

Feeling emotional and nervous or having trouble sleeping and eating can all be normal reactions to stress. Getting the right care and support can put problems in perspective and help stressful feelings and symptoms subside in a few days or weeks.

Here are some tips for getting the right care and support in difficult times.

Stay in touch with family. Stay around people who are caring and positive.

Stay active. Go for a walk or run.

Get involved. Get involved in activities to support your community.

Avoid drugs and alcohol. Drugs and alcohol may seem to help with the stress temporarily; in the long run they create

additional problems that compound the stress you are already feeling.

Find support. Ask for help from a parent, friend, counselor, doctor, or pastor. Talk with them about the stress you feel and problems you face.

Take care of yourself. Get plenty of rest and exercise and eat properly.

Take a time-out. If you feel stressed, give yourself a break. Allow some down time, even if it is only a 30-second time-out.

Text courtesy: www.cdc.gov