Generally speaking, stress means pressure or strain. Life constantly subjects us to pressures. In people, stress can be physical (e.g., disease), emotional (e.g., grief), or psychological (e.g., fear).
Individuals vary in their ability to cope with stress. How you see a situation and your general physical health are the two major factors that determine how you will respond to a stressful event or to repeated stress.
Genes and things that happen to you early in life (e.g., child abuse or neglect), even in the womb, can affect how you handle stressful situations, possibly making you more likely to over-react. Overeating, smoking, drinking, and not exercising, which can often result from being under stress, can also add to the negative effects of stress.
Allostasis is the process of how the body responds to stress, whether it is acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term).
The best-known acute stress response is the “fight or flight” reaction that happens when you feel threatened. In this case, the stress response causes the body to release several stress hormones (e.g., cortisol and adrenaline) into the bloodstream. These hormones intensify your concentration, ability to react, and strength. Also, your heart rate and blood pressure increase, and your immune system and memory are shaper. After you have dealt with the short-term stress, your body returns to normal.
Chronic or long-term stress, however, poses a problem. If you repeatedly face challenges and your body is constantly producing higher levels of hormones, it doesn’t have time to recover. Stress hormones build up in the blood and, over time, can cause serious health problems.
These symptoms may also lead to loss of appetite, overeating and poor sleep, all of which can have serious consequences for your health.
Usually these symptoms are minor and may be relieved through coping skills such as learning to relax, removing yourself for a time from the things that stress you out, and exercising. If the symptoms are severe, however, you may need to seek medical help to be able to identify the source of your stress and the best way to manage it.
There are practical steps you can take to cut back on stress. Regular, moderate exercise improves thought process and mood. So are relaxing, getting a good night’s sleep, and seeking emotional support from family and friends. You can also reduce the long-term effects of chronic stress by eating a healthy, low-fat diet and avoiding smoking and excessive drinking. However, if your symptoms continue or worsen, you should see your doctor.