Definition of Stress
Any change that puts physical, mental, or psychological pressure on a person is considered stressful. One’s body’s reaction to anything that demands focus or action is stress. Everyone goes through periods of stress. However, how one handles stress significantly affects one’s general well-being (Giannakakis et al., 2022).
Stress Impact on the Body
The brain and body are both impacted by stress. People need a certain amount of stress to function and defend themselves, but too much stress can overwhelm them and trigger a fight, flight, or freeze reaction.
The brain is composed of three levels of analysis, namely, brain, person, and group (Kosslyn & Rosenberg, 2011). The integration of stress within the mind of individuals manifests as a way to provide balance and practice.
Therefore, developing effective coping mechanisms for stress is crucial for maintaining both our mental and physical health. Everyone responds to challenging situations differently. Therefore, both the effects of stress and coping mechanisms might differ from person to person.
The autonomic nervous system controls the heart rate, breathing, vision, and other bodily functions. The body can cope with stressful events thanks to its innate stress response, known as the “fight-or-flight response.” Long-term (chronic) stress results in ongoing activation of the stress response, which wears down the body over time (Giannakakis et al., 2022).
Recognizing Stress
Symptoms emerge that are behavioral, emotional, and physical. An exhausted state or difficulties sleeping, headaches, dizziness or trembling, high blood pressure, muscular tension or jaw clenching, stomach or digestive issues, difficulty having sex, and a weakened immune system are all physical signs of stress. Anxiety or irritation, melancholy, panic attacks, and sorrow are just a few of the mental and emotional symptoms that stress can cause.
Stress cannot be measured objectively using testing. Its presence and intensity are only discernible to the individual experiencing them. A healthcare professional may use questionnaires to gain a deeper understanding of an individual’s stress and its impact on their life. One’s healthcare professional can assess stress-related symptoms in those who experience chronic stress. For instance, it is possible to identify and treat high blood pressure.
Handling Stress Effectively
Life satisfaction and happiness can increase when one is grateful for what they have. A sense of appreciation may result from getting what one desires and desiring what one already has. Practicing mindfulness, characterized by being present in the “now” without trying to change anything, takes some time (Giannakakis et al., 2022). Still, it has numerous tremendous advantages, including improved stress management, enhanced sleep quality, a reduced risk of depression relapse, and cognitive improvements.
References
Giannakakis, G., Grigoriadis, D., Giannakaki, K., Simantiraki, O., Roniotis, A., & Tsiknakis, M. (2022). Review on psychological stress detection using biosignals. IEEE Transactions on Affective Computing, 13(1), 440–460.
Kosslyn, S. M., & Rosenberg, R. S. (2011). Introducing Psychology: Brain, Person. Group.