By Niku Sedarat
We have all experienced stress at some point in our lives. However, stress has extreme implications on our daily lives when ignored. According to the World Health Organization, stress is “the body's reaction to any change that requires an adjustment or response”. In other words, stress is the response to stressors— which are essentially those “adjustments or responses” that evoke stress. Stressors differ from person to person and range from adverse and traumatic events to daily triggers. There are also two types of stress. Distress is what tends to come to mind when we think about stress. Distress stems from a place of perceiving danger, threat, or risk and it typically arises when an individual feels unable to cope. It includes difficult, unpleasant, and distressing emotions and can lead to negative physical health implications. On the other hand, eustress is deemed as the more “pleasant” form of stress. Eustress can often be beneficial and used as a source of motivation. It is often more short-term, manageable, and overall, a more desirable type of stress with few negative physical health implications.
A common misconception is that “real” stress only arises from major adversity or trauma. However, this is not the case. In fact, the Mayo Clinic states that, “daily hassles and demands, such as waiting in a long line or being late to a meeting, also contribute to your stress levels” and over time, if not managed correctly, can cause chronic stress. Chronic stress has many major negative mental and physical health implications. The central nervous system is responsible for the commonly known “flight or fight” response seen when stress is triggered. The hypothalamus then signals the adrenal glands to release adrenaline & cortisol— stress hormones. Over time, prolonged increases of these stress hormones manifest into the negative physical and mental health implications of stress.
Impacts on Physical Health:
Chronic stress can impact your physical health by…
Increased respiration & blood pressure
Increased risk of heart attack & stroke
Increased risk of T2 diabetes
Increased hormone levels, respiration, & heart rate can lead to digestive issues
Increased susceptibility to viral illness and infection
Impacts on Mental Health:
Chronic stress can impact your mental health by…
Poor sleep
Decreased motivation
Poor attention, memory, & focus
Increased risk of depression & anxiety
Mood swings
Poor grades & academic burnout
Social withdrawal & aggression
Difficulty communicating
Poor decision making
Difficulty reading social cues
Heightened emotional reactivity
Stress undoubtedly affects our overall well-being, but there are a variety of stress management tools one can employ to prevent stress from becoming chronic and overwhelming.
Stress Management
Practicing self-care
Establishing healthy boundaries
Exercising regularly
Maintaining a balanced diet
Establishing a strong social support network
Practicing mindfulness
While stress is something that we all feel to some degree, it is crucial to be aware of its negative implications to prevent it from becoming overwhelming and harmful to our livelihood. Always remember that you are not alone!
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