The Link Between Stress and Depression

Stress is often referred to as the ‘silent killer' due to its effects on the body over time. Prolonged stress can lead to increased blood pressure, and increased risk for heart attacks or stroke. One more subtle negative side effect of increased, long term stress is depression, affecting millions of people around the globe. It is important to point out that stress is a normal response for the body to a variety of regular stimuli.

However, the concerns surrounding stress are derived from its possible long term effects if left unmanaged. So, working to reduce stress and to increase the body's ability to manage stress can reduce the harmful side effects that the body experiences.
Scientific studies over the past few years point to a correlation between individuals experiencing elevated anxiety (stress) and depression. Depression is most likely to develop when an individual experiences compounded stressors from a variety of facets of their lives. When multiple stressors affect an individual who is not properly equipped with coping mechanisms can develop depression as a result.

When someone is equipped to manage their stress, the stressors often don't produce short term or long term negative effects in the body. Working on relaxation techniques, getting proper sleep, exercising, healthy diets and a strong support system can all work to enhance an individual's ability to manage their stress. While there are a variety of things that can produce stress, change is at the top of the list.

Change can also be attributed to individuals experiencing depression. When someone undergoes a variety of changes within their lives, particularly when over a short period of time, they are susceptible to developing depression symptoms. Common changes that present challenges include moves, divorces, births, deaths, job changes and financial challenges. While any one of these changes on their own may not be significant enough to produce depression symptoms, when they are compounded together over a short period of time, they can challenge an individual's body, many times leading to depression.

As stressors develop, individuals may feel their mind and body shutting down. When this occurs, fatigue increases, sleeping increases and it can be challenging to endure day to day tasks and requirements. Depression is largely misunderstood. While it can certainly refer to sadness, it can also refer to a body's difficulty or inability to manage or handle stressors. When the body becomes overwhelmed, it can simply shut down if no clear solutions or options appear or seem viable.

But, there is good news. Individuals who learn how to effectively manage stress within their life over time experience less incidences of depression. So, while there is a proven link between stress and depression, proactive lifestyle changes and habits can reduce the overall effects that stress can negatively have on the mind and body. More than anything it is your feelings that triggers stress and how you feel is not the result of what is happening in your life. It is your interpretation of what is happening. Learn to represent your life experiences in ways that support you in producing even greater results. Making changes today can reduce the prevalence of depression and can enhance the body's ability to manage stress, both of which enable someone to live a better quality of life.

Olu Jatto is a qualified Solicitor in Engalnd & Wales. He holds a Masters of Commercial Law degree form University of Aberdeen, Scotland, to mention but a few. Currently he is a director of http://easy-information-ebooks.co.uk a subsidiary of Olujay & Co Limited, an information product publishing and marketing business. He has a passion for travelling, reading, writing, skydiving and running. He has written a number of articles and an ebook-Online Resource Guide for Internet & Direct Response Marketers.http://easy-information-ebooks.co.uk is known for its leading ebook resources on niche subjects that guarantee value for money. We provide valuable information on several topics in one convenient and friendly community. We also give an opportunity for our customers to earn extra income over and over again when they join our affiliate programme.Visit us today and claim your FREE GIFT. Also visit http://ojbusinessbox.co.uk for more FREE GIFTS No Part of this Article may be stored, reproduced or retrieved in any form without the prior written permission of the Author