Final Speaking Assessment Stress – The # 1 Health Killer Introduction Balloon Explosion No one wants to result like this, right? In fact, stress causes a lot of health problems. In this speech, I shall look at the impacts stress has on physical health as well as giving some suggestions for stress control. Body A common misconception is that stress does not really affect your physical health. After my presentation, you will understand that this belief does not stand. I would focus on physical health problems that are related to us as a student. • According to a report on stress done in 2006 by Associate Professor of Medicine of Harvard Medical School -Harvey Simon, Stress can certainly influence the activity of the heart when it activates the automatic part of the nervous system that affects many organs, including the heart. Sudden stress increases the pumping action and rate of the heart causes rhythm abnormalities, heart attacks or even death in people who already have heart disease. • Everyone is talking about keeping fit in Hong Kong, I suppose you don’t want to gain weight. However, a certain kind of major stress hormone – cortisol promotes abdominal fat. This type of weight gain can occur regardless of your diet in some people when exposed to stress. • Experience pain during exam periods without a reason? A reason to this, as suggested by some research, is that your body is translating stress into muscle contractions. This would lead to muscular or joint pain and tension-type headache. • Woke up earlier than I should this morning Insomnia, generally keeping the stressed person awake or causing awakening in the middle of the night or early morning Evidence suggests that stress hormones can increase during sleep in anticipation of a specific waking time • Lastly, and most importantly, stress could impair your memorizing power, concentration and learning abilities. If stress persists, sufferers often experience loss of concentration at work. In children, the physiologic responses to chronic stress can clearly inhibit learning. Get higher GPAs, listen up as I move on to the ways to manage stress ☺ Suggestions for stress relief • Stop worrying, start working Worry is a misuse of imagination, since studies show most of the things which worry us either never happen or are beyond our powers to control Stop moaning and if possible start working to change the situation you find intolerable • Slow your life down Take up a hobby that cannot be rushed like cooking, painting, model making, and pottery. Even if you love life in the fast lane, your mind and body need changes in pace. Concentrate on a single thought or image • Exercise away your stress Stretch your legs Take and hold a deep breath Jog, Walk, Swim, Cycle Conclusion To conclude, stress could cause serious physical health problems such as heart diseases, weight gain, pain, sleep disturbance and even affects learning. Do you still think stress doesn’t cause physical illnesses? Starting from today, take a rest, cope with stress and beat the rest! Thank you!