Patterns of Organization Exercise 3

Read the selection to determine the patterns of organization and the signals used to indicate the pattern.

¹At the end of the twentieth century, everyone in America seems to be stressed. We become stressed in response to some stimulus that causes us discomfort. The stimuli, or prompts, can vary. Stress may be prompted by monthly bills that exceed monthly incomes. Stress may be prompted by the pressure of trying to juggle work and college courses at the same time. In addition, stress may be prompted by long, bumper-to-bumper commutes every day. Whatever the cause, we feel pain, fear, or anxiety; our lives seem out of balance.

²Stress not only affects us emotionally, it also impacts our physical health. Stressors, those unpleasant prompts or experiences, actually trigger a biological response in our bodies. Our hearts beat wildly after we hit the brakes on our car to avoid a rear-end collision. Actually, the stress response in a near-collision may be positive; it may force us to respond quickly to danger. Our bodies may react negatively, however, if the stress is continuous for long periods of time. One effect of prolonged and intense stress may be the weakening of our immune response system. We may be much more susceptible to viruses and colds if we are extremely stressed. Also, those of us who are very stressed may be more prone to heart attacks and strokes. Extreme stress may also cause memory impairment.

³Thus, while each person responds to stressors differently, it is wise in this hurried and often-frantic society to seek relaxation, not only for our emotional well-being, but also for our physical health. Meditation, time with friends, and exercise are great stress-relievers.