Stress (Emotional + Physical) = Bad News Bears
Stress - noun
- a load, force, or system of forces producing a strain
- a specific response by the body to a stimulus, as fear or pain, that disturbs or interferes with the normal physiological equilibrium of an organism.
Well, I’ve had my share of stress over the last couple of…well, I guess I’ve been kind of a stress pot for a long time, and it’s now showing its consequences. Sure it’s fun saving up stress and waiting for the pressure to build just like a volcano until it explodes in a Al Pacino-style outburst [Fig 1a], but it tends to make you crazy and has some serious health concerns.
[Avoid making stress-mountains.]
Some effects of stress:
- Eating disorder
- Insomnia
- Headache
- Depression
- Anger
- Cracked teeth due to grinding teeth
Seriously, I’ve cracked 2 teeth in the last year. I’ve always had a bit of a bruxism (fancy way of saying “grinds teeth in sleep”), but it’s only caused me problems during the stress out periods of my life. The first happened more than half a year ago when I couldn’t find a job; now, I’m stressing again from a combination of work, money, studying, and trying to get sane. I was casually finishing a bag of cookies when one of the stress fissures must have finally given out [Fig 1b].
[This is what happened inside of my mouth today.]
Solutions:
- Stop stressing.
- Find ways to relax/have fun.
- Go to USC’s dental school to get cheap dental work.
Yeah, I’m pretty bummed out, but I’m trying to tough it out. I hate going to the dentist and I hate paying for stuff, so it looks like it might not be a fun couple of days; but tomorrow’s a new day. I’ll be documenting this whole experience, so stay tuned.
