Stress

Stress is a feeling of emotional and physical tension. It comes from various feelings like upset, nervous, and irritation. Stress is the reaction of the body to a challenge or demand. In short bursts, stress may be beneficial, like when it helps us avoid danger or hit a deadline. But it can affect our health if the stress continues for a long time. We may experience the stress of the environment, body, and thoughts.

Physical effects of stress

Stress slows down some natural body functions, such as those carried out by the blood and respiratory systems. The body will then focus its energy on breathing, muscle preparation, blood flow, and sudden use alertness. During the stress reaction body changes in various ways like:

1. Immune activity decreases
2. Muscles become tenser
3. Blood pressure and pulse rise
4. Breathing speeds up
5. The digestive system slows down
6. Sleepiness decreases due to an increased state of alertness

The effects of stress on overall health can be determined by how an individual reacts to a stressful situation. Without a severe stress reaction, some individuals can encounter a number of stressors in a row or at once. Others may have a stronger reaction to a single stressor.

Symptoms of Stress

Stress can be long-term or short-term. Both can contribute to a number of symptoms, but over time, chronic stress can take a significant effect on the body and have long-lasting health effects. There are various symptoms of stress. Some of them are as follows:

• Difficulty sleeping
• Digestive problems
• Frequent sickness
• Dizziness
• Feeling anxious
• Physical aches and pains
• Racing heartbeat
• Clammy or sweaty palms
• Diarrhea
• Headaches
• Low energy
• Grinding teeth
• Changes in mood
• Muscle tension, mainly in the neck and shoulders
• Trembling

Types of Stress

Stress is a normal feeling. There are mainly three types of stress that are Acute, episodic acute stress, and chronic stress.

Acute Stress

It is short-term stress that's gone away very fast. When the slam on the brakes, have a fight with the partner or ski down a narrow slope, people feel this stress. It lets them deal with dangerous situations. It often happens when you do something different or exciting. At one time or another, almost all people have suffered from acute stress.

Episodic Acute Stress

Those who often undergo acute stress, or whose lives are always due to stress, have acute episodic stress. People who frequently suffer acute stress also live a life of uncertainty and crisis. They always feel in a rush or pressure. They have many obligations, and they can't normally stay organized with too many times demands. These individuals are perpetually in the midst of acute stress overload.

Chronic Stress

It is the tension that takes a longer period of time to last. If you have financial issues, an unhappy life, certain issues, or trouble at work, you might have chronic stress. Chronic stress is that type of stress that goes for a few weeks or months. If we don't find to have any way to relieve stress, it can lead to serious health problems.

Prevention of Stress

Stress is not a separate medical diagnosis, and it does not have a single precise treatment. Stress treatment focuses on improving the situation, learning skills for stress management, incorporating methods for relaxation, and managing symptoms or problems that may have been caused by chronic stress. There are various treatments of stress like:

Medication

Medication can also be used to relieve such specific symptoms due to stress. Such drugs may include sleep aids, antacids, antidepressants, and anti-anxiety drugs.

Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Some alternative treatments that can also help relieve stress include yoga, aromatherapy, massage, meditation, and many more.

Psychotherapy

Some types of therapy can be especially effective in treating stress symptoms, like mindfulness-based stress reduction and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Cognitive-behavioral therapy CBT focuses on helping people recognize and alter negative thought habits, while MBSR uses meditation and mindfulness to help minimize stress levels.