P269 CEEFAX 269 Sun 22 Dec 22:44/27 Fifteen steps to good health This series has been pr pared for CEEFAX viewers in collaboration with the Health Education Council's Look After Yourself! project Over 15 weeks we examine a range of topics such as good diet, avoiding back pain and coping with stress. And at the end of the series thjr will be a prize competition. You'll stand a bette chance of winning if you've followed this CEEFAX course. In a moment STRESSP269 CEEFAX 269 Sun 22 Dec 22:14/24 2/7 Part El vjn ST EST The response to stress prepared the body of primitive man for preserving himself - either bz running away or by fighting. This is known as the "fight" or "flight" response. Such reactions to stress are often not possible in civilised society. /////////////////////////////////////// MoreP269 CEEFAX 269 Sun 22 Dec 22:39/58 3/7 Part Eleven STRESS (continued) When a person is under stress the body can react in the following ways:- * muscles tense * blood pressure rises * heart beats faster * digestion slows down or stops Continued exposure to stress can have a damaging effect on your health. O MoreP269 CEEFAX 269 Sun 22 Dec 22:45/28 4/7 Part El jn ST EST (continued) Some symptoms of stress ar : * Cannot settle down. * Loss of s lf esteem. * Exhaustion. * Poor sleep. * Irritability, tenseness or despair. * Inappropriate aggression. * Over-eating or under-eating. /////////////////////////////////////// MoreP269 CEEFAX 269 Sun 22 Dec 21:54/49 pp—p0pp—pp 5/7 Part ÷ j5 j n / j j / E SIMPL S PS TO COPING TH ST SS | Try to:- R cognis the causes of your stress. Organis your tim . Do not take on more than yo can cop with. / Practise simpl relaxation techniques. / Se th humorous sid of situations. Take regular xercis . //////// //////// //////// /// //// MotP269 CEEFAX 269 Sun 22 Dec 22:04/36 6/7 Part El vjn SIMPLE RELAXATION TECHNIQUES Sit or lie in a comfo table and supported position. Shallow breathing often creates tension. Breathe more deeply, calmly and with more control. As you do so, drop your should rs, relax your hands and mag sure your teeth are not cl nched tightly tog th r. //////// /////////////////// //////// MotP269 CEEFAX 269 Sun 22 Dec 22:17/00 7/7 Part El vjn ST EST (continued) Avoid trying to cope with stress bz smoking, drinking too much alcohol, or compulsive eating. Over a period of tim , th ue can add to the stress. See if thjr are Look After Yourself classes in your area. They will teach simple relaxation techniques. Try to think positively - it helps. /////////////////////////////////////// Next week: Smoking