When you get stressed out, your body’s “fight or flight” response will be triggered. This response is designed to help you react to immediate threats, however chronic stress can have negative effects on your health. How it impacts impacts your body can be explained in many ways, as there are different types of stress.
What is stress?
Stress is a natural physiological response to a perceived threat or pressure. It triggers the release of hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, which prepares the body’s response to either fight or flee. It can be induced by various factors including physical, emotional or environmental stimuli.
Types
There are three main types that you should know about: acute stress, episodic stress, and chronic stress. And it is is important to know them in order to understand them better, and possibly identify them when they occur.
1 . Acute stress
Acute stress is a short-term stress response to a specific situation or event. It is often triggered by a sudden change or unexpected event, such as a car accident, a fight with your loved one, failing a class test, or a deadline at work. However, it is often resolved once the stressful situation has passed.
2 . Episodic acute stress
From the name can you already guess what this type of stress means?…. Okay let me explain:
Episodic acute stress refers to repeated episodes of acute stress. It is a type of stress that is common in people who experience frequent stressful events. Such as financial problems, work schedules, or relationship issues. Therefore it can lead to chronic stress if it is not addressed properly.
It’s like you never have peace, due to one issue or another, which can negatively impact your life.
3 . Chronic stress
This is a long-term stress response that persists over an extended period of time. It is caused by ongoing stressful situations, such as a toxic work environment, a troubled relationship, or being seriously ill. It can have severe consequences on a person’s physical and mental health., including anxiety, depression, and cardiovascular disease
Causes
Some common causes include:
- Health issues: Chronic illness, pain, or discomfort
- Financial problems: Debt, unemployment, or financial difficulties
- Relationship issues: A fight with your partner, family member, friends, divorce, or separation
- Major life changes: Sudden need to move, job change, or retirement
- Trauma: Past or present abuse, neglect, or violence
- Workload and pressure: Excessive workload, deadlines, or performance expectations
- Work-life balance: Conflicting demands between work and one’s personal life
- Job insecurity: Fear of job loss or uncertainty about the future
- Poor work environment: Uncomfortable or unhealthy work environment
Environmental factors may also contribute to stress. Some of them are
- Noise and pollution
- Natural disasters
- Lack of control due to feeling powerless or trapped in a situation
- Social media and technology
- Living with uncertainty or unpredictability
Other factors
- Aging and caregiving
- Stress related to academic performance or expectations
- Lack of social support
The immediate physical effects of stress
Your body’s fight or flight response to stress can have physical effects.
1 . Hormonal imbalance: Since it triggers the release of cortisol and adrenaline, it can lead to a disrupted balance of other hormones in your body.
2 . Digestive issues: It can cause stomach problems, nausea, and changes in bowel movements.
3 . Weakened immune system: Chronic stress can suppress the immune system, which eventually causes you to be more vulnerable to illnesses.
4 . Muscle tension: It’s also another way of how it can impact your body. It cause muscle strain, back pain, and headaches.
5 . Cardiovascular problems: It impacts your body by increasing your blood pressure, heart rate, and risk of cardiovascular disease.
6 . Bad skin: You might not have noticed, but it can definitely reduce your skin glow. By triggering or exacerbating skin conditions like eczema, acne, and psoriasis. When you’re stressed out it can cause your skin to become dull looking or dry.
This is why people don’t like to undergo stressful situations, especially when they have a party or an event coming up. They simply want their skin to be as healthy looking as possible, so whatever they put on it or wear can be complemented fully.
7 . Sleep disturbances: How it impacts your body can be seen in your sleep pattern or quality. It can lead to insomnia, daytime fatigue, and other sleep-related problems.
Diagnosis
To diagnose it, your healthcare provider will do the following:
- Conduct a physical examination to rule out any underlying health conditions
- Ask about your medical history to identify any pre-existing condition
- Use psychological questionnaires to assess your stress levels and anxiety
- Observe behavior to assess coping mechanisms and overall mental state
What you should expect
A healthcare professional will look for:
- Duration: Symptoms that have lasted for more than 6 months.
- Intensity: Stress symptoms causing significant distress or impairment.
- Frequency: How frequently the symptoms occur.
Treatment of stress
At some levels you can treat your symptoms by practicing some self-help techniques. Such as:
1 . Deep breathing exercises to help calm your mind and body
2 . Journaling to express your thoughts and emotions
3 . Mindfulness meditation which helps focus on the present moment
4 . Exercise
5 . Progressive muscle relaxation
That said, you can also seek professional intervention if you’re experiencing intense symptoms. Some professional help include:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Psychodynamic therapy
- Medication may be prescribed for severe stress or anxiety
Lifestyle changes
- Manage your time properly by prioritizing tasks and set realistic goals.
- Build social support
- Regularly practice techniques like yoga or tai chi
- Start getting enough sleep at least 7 to 8 hours every night
- Focus on a balanced diet
- Establish a consistent sleep schedule, stop the irregular sleep patterns
Alternative therapies
- Acupuncture
- Massage therapy
- Aromatherapy
- Herbal
