Problem:
Help with responding to classmate's discussion post
After completing the Symptoms of Stress assessment and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), I realized that many of my stress indicators are occurring more frequently than I originally thought. My Perceived Stress Scale score was 28, which falls into the high perceived stress range. Several of the results stood out to me, especially my frequent muscle tension and fatigue, feelings of being unable to cope with everything I need to do, and difficulty calming my thoughts during stressful situations.
One finding that caught my attention was how frequently I experience tense muscles, fatigue, and anxiety-related symptoms. On the Symptoms of Stress assessment, I marked tense muscles in my neck and back as occurring almost every day, while fatigue, anxiety, and restlessness were marked as occurring every day or night. I think a major reason for these symptoms is the amount of responsibility I currently balance at once. I work full-time while taking college courses and managing responsibilities at home, which often leaves little time for physical rest or relaxation. Over time, I think my body has adapted to functioning under stress so consistently that these symptoms have started to feel "normal," even though they are signs of chronic stress. This connects to this week's readings, which explain that stress affects both psychological and physiological functioning. When the body remains in a prolonged state of stress arousal, symptoms such as muscle tension, fatigue, headaches, and sleep difficulties can become more common.
Another finding that concerned me was my response to the Perceived Stress Scale questions related to feeling overwhelmed and unable to cope. I scored especially high on questions asking how often I felt unable to control important things in my life or unable to cope with all the things I had to do. I think this result reflects how demanding my current schedule can feel at times. Balancing work, school, finances, and personal responsibilities sometimes makes it difficult to feel fully "caught up," even when I am staying productive. I also tend to think ahead constantly about future deadlines or responsibilities, which can make stress feel ongoing rather than temporary. The course materials discussed how stress is strongly influenced by perception and appraisal. In other words, stress is not only based on external events themselves, but also on how individuals interpret their ability to manage those events. I think my tendency to overthink and mentally carry responsibilities contributes significantly to my overall stress levels.
A third result that stood out to me was related to emotional regulation and relaxation. In the additional stress coping assessment, I answered that when highly stressed, I often let my emotions "run away" with me and that I feel incapable of changing my thinking to calm down in those moments. I think this reflects how difficult it can be to mentally disconnect from stress once I become overwhelmed. Even when I have free time, I often continue thinking about responsibilities, assignments, work, or future concerns. I also realized through the assessments that I do not engage in relaxing practices very often, which likely contributes to the cycle of stress continuing without interruption.
Overall, these assessments made me more aware of how significantly stress can affect both mental and physical health. While some stress is unavoidable, I think these results show that I need to place more importance on stress management strategies, relaxation, and maintaining balance before chronic stress begins having a more serious impact on my well-being. Need Assignment Help?