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How
does stress damage the body? The prevailing theory,
developed by Dr. Hans Selye, is that stress hurts you by sounding
the alarm to mobilize for fight or flight. When you
feel you're in danger, your heart rate speeds up; the fats,
cholesterol, and sugar in your bloodstream increase, your
stomach secretes more acid, your immune system slows down.
All of these changes are a colossal strain. And the
strain is greatest if the stresses you face are numerous,
severe, and persistent. Three major personality traits
seemed most likely to avoid stress: 1. Commitment
to self, work, family, and other important values; 2.
A sense of personal control over one's life; and 3.
The ability to see change in one's life as a challenge to
master. Three techniques which help to assure
happiness, health and hardiness are: Focusing, reconstructing
stressful situations and compensating through self-improvement.
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