Sleepless In Singapore
Article contributed by:
Raffles Medical Group
Good News, Bad News
Singaporeans are
well-acquainted with
stress. It is not
all bad, as studies have
shown that stress can be
useful and necessary.
Some stress is
beneficial as they
stimulate and strengthen
us. What matters
is not the event which
creates the worry but
how we view the event.
An event that causes
constant worry to one
can be a very useful
challenge to another.
Success Over Stress
Mr Yam Keng Mun, a
Consultant psychologist
with Raffles Hospital,
highlights three ways to
overcoming and
harnessing stress for
your success.
Did you know?
• 40% of your worries may never
happen • 30% of your worries are about past
events and nothing can be done
about them • 10% of your worries are about petty
things • 12% of your worries are about your
health or diet, your weight, etc. and
will only aggravate the situation
So, STOP WORRYING TODAY! |
|
Awareness:
Be aware of
stress and
how it
affects you.
Stress shows
itself
through
common signs
like
irritability,
increased
relational
conflicts,
and feelings
of isolation
amongst
others.
Wellness:
Exercise
regularly to
ensure
wellness.
Stress can
manifest in
poor health
when your
immune
system is
weakened. If
you are
experiencing
cough and
flu
regularly,
you may be
more
vulnerable
because of
unresolved
stress.
Celebration:
There is
more to life
than just
work and
stress!
Celebrate
life and
feel blessed
by the good
things in
your life!
Companies
would notice
that stress
often
results in
reduced
productivity,
low staff
morale and
increased
medical
expenses.
The Health
Promotion
Board’s
Workplace
Emotional
Health
Programme
(or EAP/
Employee
Assistance
Programme)
is an
excellent
organisational
strategy
that helps
staff manage
their stress
levels and
increase
their
emotional
resilience. |
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Five Simple Stress Tips
1.
|
Talk to friends
or write a
journal as these
allow you to
explore
solutions
instead of
dwelling on your
problems.
|
2.
|
Try relaxing by
listening to
some soft music,
taking a
lingering bath
or going for a
massage.
|
3.
|
Maintain a
healthy diet and
take time to eat
proper meals at
regular
intervals.
|
4.
|
Physical
activities help
to release
calming
chemicals in the
brain and
promote better
sleep.
|
5. |
Take deep
breaths to help
cope with stress
that come up at
times.
|
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Stress and Common
Ailments
Some common health
ailments that frequently
trouble you may actually
be due to stress.
Three such ailments
include asthma, acne and
irritable bowel
syndrome.
Asthma
According to
Dr Stephen Lee,
Consultant ENT Surgeon,
Raffles ENT Centre,
stress is a well-known
asthma trigger. It
can make a person feel
short of breath and even
worsen existing asthma
symptoms.
Chemicals/stress
hormones are released by
the body during times of
stress, leading to
tightened airway
muscles, resulting in
narrowing of the air
tubes, and difficulty in
breathing.
Acne
Acne-prone readers
should take note of
this. “Stress induces
some hormonal changes
which may either
directly or indirectly
cause an aggravation of
the acne,” said
A/Prof Wong Soon Tee,
Consultant Dermatologist
of Raffles Skin Centre.
When you’re under
stress, your body
produces stress hormones
which may stimulate an
overproduction of oil in
the skin, causing acne
to develop or become
worse. This can,
in turn, lead to more
stress, plunging you
into a stress-acne
cycle. In addition,
stressful situations may
also cause an increase
in androgens (male
hormones) and the
resultant increase in
oil accounts for acne
aggravation.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
(IBS)
With recent
understanding of nerve
pathways connecting the
brain and gut,
Dr Law Ngai Moh,
Consultant
Gastroenterologist of
Raffles Internal
Medicine Centre,
believes that IBS occurs
as a result of disrupted
movement and altered
sensation of the colon,
impaired interpretation
of colonic signals by
the brain and abnormal
feedback from the brain
back to the gut.
Explained Dr Law, “IBS
is affected by
circulating hormones,
gut chemicals, and
physical stimulation,
such as food in the
digestive system, and
most importantly
external stress on the
mind.
Therefore, physical and
mental stress may
trigger a change in the
sensation and
contraction of the colon
resulting in IBS
symptoms.”
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Article contributed by:
Raffles Medical Group
Dated: May 2011
Raffles
Medical
Group is
a leading
medical
group and
the largest
private
group
practice in
Singapore.
As a fully
integrated
healthcare
organisation,
the Group
owns and
operates a
network of
family
medicine
clinics, a
tertiary
care private
hospital,
insurance
services and
a consumer
healthcare
division.
Patients of
the Group
enjoy a
continuum of
care, from
having their
most basic
healthcare
needs met
through the
Group’s
islandwide
network of
Raffles
Medical
clinics, to
specialist
and tertiary
care at
Raffles
Hospital. |
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