Why does stress occur, and how can it be managed
Stress
Stress is a natural reaction to a person's incapacity to deal with specific requirements and events. Stress can become a chronic problem if an individual does not take steps to control it.
Employment, relationships, financial commitments, and other situations can all cause stress, but so can anything that offers an actual or perceived threat to a person's well-being.
Stress may be a motivator, and it's even vital for survival in some instances. The body's fight-or-flight response system instructs a person on when and how to react in the face of danger. When the body is too stimulated or when there are far too many stressors at once, it can be dangerous to a person's mental and physical health.
The body's natural protection against attackers and hazard is stress. It fills the system with hormones that help the body's systems prepare for danger. This is considered to be the fight-or-flight reaction.
When faced with a problem or threat, humans have a partially physical response. The body produces capabilities that allow individuals to either stay and confront the crisis or run as fast as they can.
The body produces higher levels of the hormone's cortisol, adrenaline, and norepinephrine. As a result of them, the following physical responses occur:
- The blood pressure has elevated.
- Muscle readiness has improved
- sweating
- alertness
All of these factors contribute to a person's capacity to react to a potentially harmful or challenging situation. Norepinephrine and epinephrine both induce a faster heart rate.
Environmental factors that elicit this reaction are known as stressors. Noises, aggressive behaviour, a fast car, frightening movie sequences, or even a first date are all instances. The number of stressors tends to increase stress levels in lockstep.
Physical repercussions
Stress slows down several normal physiological functions, like those carried by the digestive and immune systems. The body's capabilities can then be directed toward breathing, blood flow, alertness, and muscle preparation for unexpected use.
The body changes during a stress reaction in the following ways:
- Blood pressure and heart rate both rise.
- Breathing becomes more rapid
- The digestive system becomes more sluggish.
- The immune system's activity decreases.
- Muscles get stiffer.
- Tiredness is reduced as a result of increased awareness.
How a person behaves in a difficult situation determines the effects of stress on their overall health. Multiple stressors can be presented to some people in a row or at the same time without causing a major stress reaction. Others may have a stronger reaction to a particular stressor.
A person that believes they lack the resources to deal with the situation is likely to have a stronger reaction, which could result in health problems. People react differently to stress in different ways.
Having a kid, going on vacation, relocating to a better home, and getting a job promotion are all instances of enjoyable situations that can lead to stress.
This is due to the fact that they usually include a significant change, additional effort, new duties, and the need to adapt. They also require a person's journey into the unknown on a regular basis.
An individual may be looking forward to the first boost in salary as a consequence of a promotion, but they may be wary about taking on extra responsibilities.
A persistent negative reaction to problems may have a detrimental effect on one's success and wellbeing.
According to a 2018 study, there is a link between work-related anxiety and coronary heart disease. Notwithstanding this, the investigators were unable to pinpoint the exact mechanisms through which stress contributes to coronary heart disease.
People who believe stress has a detrimental impact on their health are more likely to acquire coronary heart disease than those that don't, according to other research.
On the other hand, being more aware of the effects of stress may help with stress control and coping.
Treatment
Self-help and certain medicines are used to relieve stress caused by an underlying condition. Aromatherapy and reflexology seem to be two techniques that may aid with relaxation.
Some insurance companies cover this type of treatment. Patients should check with their insurance provider to see if they are reimbursed before pursuing this treatment. Knowing the details of a planned treatment can assist you prevent adding to your already high level of anxiety.
Medicines
Doctors rarely offer stress-relieving drugs unless they're addressing an underlying condition like anxiousness or depressive disorder.
In such cases, they might prescribe an antidepressant. However, it's possible that the medication will only mask the tension rather than assisting the person in coping. Antidepressants can have negative side effects, such as decreased libido, and they may exacerbate stress-related difficulties.
Individuals can acquire coping methods before stress becomes chronic or severe, allowing them to navigate new situations and retain their overall health.
Those who already are stressed out should seek medical assistance.
Dealing with Stress Techniques
It is possible to reduce stress by:
- The source of the stress is eliminated or altered.
- Changing someone's perspective on a horrific incident
- Lowering the harmful effects of stress on the body
- Learning new coping strategies
- In stress management therapy, one or more of these methods are used.
People can enhance their stress management skills with the help of self-help books and the internet tools. They can also participate in a stress-reduction programme.
Stressed clients may be referred to self-improvement programs or individualised treatment sessions by a counsellor or psychotherapist.
