Peace Is Health: How Stress Affects Our Lives & How We Can Reduce Its Effects

By Dr. Theresa M. O. Ukpo

This book is a broad overview of how stress (lack of peace) affects our lives and how to prevent it and reduce its effects.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trafford Publishing
• Release date: Dec 16, 2015
• ISBN: 9781490767482

Dr. Theresa M. O. Ukpo

Dr. Theresa Mary Obiaraure Ukpo was born in Owerri, Imo state, Nigeria to Mr. and Mrs. C. M. Acholonu, who were early pioneers of Education in Nigeria. Consequently, Dr. Ukpo developed a keen interest in formal schooling at a very early age. She finished her first school leaving exams. with ‘Distinction’. This performance earned her a full scholarship to attend high school at Owerri Girls’ Secondary School, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria. High school is not free in Nigeria. It was a big relief for Dr. Ukpo’s parents not to have to worry about paying school fees for her high school education. My gratitude goes to Ikwerre County Council for awarding this scholarship to me. Dr. Ukpo’s high school education was interrupted by a civil war, the Nigeria-Biafra War, which raged from 1967 to 1970. Upon successful completion of her high school education, Dr Ukpo was awarded a full scholarship to pursue a college education in the United States. She majored in Chemistry at Rosemont College, Rosemont, Pennsylvania. She later pursued a Master’s Degree in Community Health Education at Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Dr. Ukpo has had several years’ experience teaching Health Science and Stress Management courses in several Colleges and Universities in the US. She earned a doctorate degree as an Epidemiologist from Walden University in 2013. She has written other books namely, “Cervical Cancer at a glance: It Is a Sex Thing!” She has also written a book called “The forgotten genocide”. This book is based on her personal experiences in the Nigeria-Biafra War which raged from 1967 to 1970.

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Copyright 2015 Dr. Theresa Mary Obiaraure Ukpo.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the written prior permission of the author.

ISBN: 978-1-4907-6749-9 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4907-6748-2 (e)

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PEACE IS HEALTH

This book is a broad overview of how stress (lack of peace) affects our lives, and how to prevent it and reduce its effects.

In this sad world of ours, sorrow comes to all, and to the young it comes with bitterest agony because it takes them unawares. The older have learned to ever expect it.

~Abraham Lincoln, 16th President of the US.

Dr. Theresa Mary O. Ukpo

Copyright 2014 Dr. Theresa Mary O. Ukpo

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without prior written permission of the copyright holder.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter 1   Introduction

Chapter 2    Definition of Stress

Definition of stressor

List of Stressors we experience in our lives

Definition of wellness

Six dimensions of wellness

Chapter 3    Causes of stress – 3 major theories

Chapter 4    Leading causes of death in the US.

Leading causes of unintentional injuries

Chapter 5   Physiology of stress

Chapter 6   Consequences of stress

How stress (lack of peace) can result in stroke

How stress affects the heart (e.g. heart attack)

Symptoms and signs of heart attack

Prevention of heart attack and heart disease

Treatment of heart disease

How stress can cause loss of interest in sex

How stress can cause Alzheimer’s disease

How stress causes high cholesterol

How stress can result in cancer

How stress affects the digestive system

How stress can cause asthma

How stress causes pot belly

How stress is connected to drug abuse, alcoholism, tobacco, overeating, and sex

How stress can cause osteoporosis

How stress can cause high blood pressure

How stress can cause diabetes mellitus

How stress can cause insomnia

Chapter 7    Stress-related disorders

Eating disorders – bulimia, anorexia nervosa

Personality disorders- schizophrenia, amnesia, multiple personality

Mood Disorders – depression, manic depressive

somatoform disorders- hypochondria, attention disorders- ADD / ADHD, dyslexia

Anxiety Disorders – phobia, obsessive compulsive disorders

Chapter 8   Telltale signs of stress

Emotional signs of stress

Behavioral signs of stress

Physical signs of stress

Chapter 9   Symptoms of inner peace

Chapter 10      Techniques for dealing with stress

Chapter 11      Quotes that may help you relieve stress

Chapter 12      Tips for success in business

Chapter 13       Tips for success in Marriage

Chapter 14      Self- image and stress

How to change your self- image

Chapter 15      Time management

Effective communication

Good decision-making

Chapter 16      Simple suggestions for being peaceful

Chapter 17      Other consequences of not having peace of mind

Chapter 18      How to assess your stress level

Chapter 19      Death as the worst stressor—the 5 stages of death

Coping with grief

Chapter 20      Conclusion

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Chapter 1

INTRODUCTION

This book begins with a melancholy quote:

In this sad world of ours, sorrow comes to all and to the young it comes with bitterest agony because it takes them unawares. The older have learned to ever expect it.

~Abraham Lincoln, 16th President of the United States

This quote reminds us all of the very presence of stress in our lives. This book is written to raise more awareness of stress and its devastating effects on our lives. It also offers various tips on how to prevent and deal with stress when it strikes. Lack of peace and stress are used interchangeably in this book.

Most of us are familiar with this prescription for good health Eat fruits and vegetables, do not smoke, do not do drugs, exercise, etc. Add this to the prescription, Get Peace of mind.

PEACE I leave you; my PEACE I give to you; let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. These are the words of Jesus Christ of Nazareth according to St. John. Again, after His resurrection, Jesus appeared to His Disciples and greeted them with the words; PEACE be with you. The significance of these greetings with the word PEACE can no longer be overlooked. PEACE is our HEALTH! PEACE is our LIFE!

Most modern scientists now acknowledge the connection between stress (lack of peace) and many diseases (physical and mental) which afflict mankind. The front page of this book summarizes it all. Lack of peace (stress) is now directly and indirectly linked to cardiovascular diseases (the number one leading cause of death in the US), cancer (the number two leading cause of death in the US), high blood pressure, stroke, heart attack, drug use, alcoholism, smoking, overeating, under-eating, ulcers, unintentional injuries, mood disorders, depression, homicide, suicide etc. These health issues eventually lead to premature death. If one does not have peace of mind, it is a matter of time—sooner or later one will be plagued by one of these health issues.

It behooves us, therefore, to find ways to maintain peace in our hearts, in our homes, and in our workplaces so that our lives do not get cut short by stress.We are all hardwired to be happy but as time goes on, we are besieged by stressful events that mar our happiness and cause us to experience many health issues. So, when all hell breaks loose and our peace of mind is derailed, how do we start developing these health issues?

Modern science has now established that when we encounter stress (lack of peace) a part of our brain called the hypothalamus sends out signals that result in the release of certain hormones. Two main groups of hormones are released by the adrenal glands located at the top of the kidneys during stress. These are the catecholamines and the corticosteroids.

Examples of catecholamines include hormones like epinephrine (adrenalin), and