Introduction
Stress is a common and complex phenomenon that impacts people’s lives in many ways. It significantly affects physical and mental health (O’Connor et al., 2021). To manage stress’ effects on health, it is essential to understand how the body reacts to it. This essay examines the relationship between stress and health, with a particular emphasis on Hans Selye’s General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS).
Explanation of Hans Selye’s General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)
General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS), a three-stage paradigm explaining the body’s reaction to stress, was developed by Hans Selye. The body readies itself for a stressor during the alarm stage (Vasenina et al., 2021). The resistance stage entails adjusting and coping, but continued stress results in the fatigue stage, which hurts one’s health.
Personal Reaction to a Significant Stressor
A significant source of stress in my life has been switching to a new work with more obligations. I was nervous and eager to succeed throughout the alarm stage. Additionally, there were physical signs like stress and a pounding heart. As I transitioned to the resistance stage, I used constructive coping mechanisms, including time management and asking for help. I changed by setting priorities for duties and structuring chores. However, ongoing stress and work demands progressively impacted my well-being. I eventually got to the point of weariness when I had persistent lethargy, trouble focusing, and a lack of enthusiasm. It became evident that ongoing stress without rest had a detrimental effect on my general health.
Healthy Coping Strategy
I discovered that practicing mindfulness meditation was a helpful coping approach to deal with the stress brought on by my new work. Budimir et al. (2021) conducted a study that found that mindfulness meditation can lower stress, boost resilience, and promote general well-being. I developed awareness and learned how to react to stressors more calmly and deliberately by regularly practicing meditation.
Conclusion
Stress is a multifaceted issue that affects many different facets of health. The alert, resistance, and fatigue stages of Hans Selye’s General Adaptation Syndrome give a framework for comprehending the body’s reaction to stimuli. Experiences from my own life show how these symptoms of stress might develop. Utilizing constructive coping mechanisms, such as mindfulness meditation, might lessen the damaging impact of stress on health. People may improve their well-being and lead healthier lives by detecting and efficiently managing stress.
References
Budimir, S., Probst, T., & Pieh, C. (2021). Coping strategies and mental health during COVID-19 lockdown. Journal of Mental Health, 30(2), 156-163. Web.
O’Connor, D. B., Thayer, J. F., & Vedhara, K. (2021). Stress and health: A review of psychobiological processes. Annual Review of Psychology, 72(1), 663-688. Web.
Vasenina, E., Kataoka, R., Loenneke, J. P., & Buckner, S. L. (2021). Exercise science perspective. Physics of Life Reviews, 38, 129-131. Web.