Stress

What is stress

            Stress is defined as the body’s way of reacting to stimulus both internally and externally regardless of whether the stimulus is a demand or a threat. The stimulus occurs regardless of whether the need or threat is real or imagined allowing the body to respond accordingly and rapidly in what is referred to as the stress response or flight-or-fight. While stress is often referred to negatively, the misconception has to do with the notion that stress only occurs when the body is responding to danger, pain, or some form of loss. However, stress can also be beneficial as it helps one remain alert, focused and also acts as an early warning system. Through stress, people react better when in an emergency situation. Stress is responsible for the quick action and reflexes as well as adrenaline that kicks in when someone is in danger. Enough stress can cause an individual to engage in reflex actions such as stopping a car abruptly, jumping out of the path of danger and also avoiding situations that could put the individual in harm.

Types of stress

• ACUTE STRESS 

Acute stress is the most common and brief form of stress that an individual experiences and in frequent presentation. It is often as a result of reactive thinking engaged by the individual and it is often characterised by negative thoughts. Acute stress is often as a result of the individual lack of understanding or confidence in events that have recently occurred and also when anticipating situations and events that may occur in future (Ehrenfeld, 2018). A good example is the attitude that one may develop following an argument. Acute stress is experienced if the individual involved in the argument continues to harbour negative thoughts regarding the argument that reoccur in the mind. Other causes of acute stress include upcoming deadlines where the individual has doubts on his ability to accomplish what is expected in time (Ehrenfeld, 2018). although acute stress does affect the individual, its effects are often limited to the duration in which the individual continues to induce it. Since acute stress is caused by the individual’s thoughts and fears, the stress often goes away after the element causing the fear is reduced or done away with.

• EPISODIC ACUTE STRESS  

Episodic acute stress is as a result of frequent acute stress and it is common among people who experience frequent stress triggers. Most people with episodic acute stress often experience chaos and their life requires them to solve a lot of crisis (Ehrenfeld, 2018). Other common characteristics include experiencing life in a rush and living in constant pressure. The stress is often as a result of the individual’s tendency to take on more responsibilities than one can handle. The constant pressure makes it hard for people experiencing episodic acute stress to be organized or finish tasks in time. the individuals feel constantly pressured and this only intensifies the episodes of acute stress.

• CHRONIC STRESS

Chronic stress tends to be the most harmful compared to acute and episodic acute stress. This is especially because, if left untreated, it could negatively affect the individual’s mental and physical health. Its negative impact is because of the duration that factors promoting it affect the body and also their consequences (Ehrenfeld, 2018). Factors such as physical abuse, unemployment and substance abuse lead to chronic stress. Since chronic stress develops over time, lack of managing it could result in the individual feeling hopeless and develop negative attitudes towards stress management (Ehrenfeld, 2018). The impact tends to have far reaching consequences because the elements causing the stress have either been part of the individual’s life for too long, or the effects have become too complex to resolve.

Causes of stress

            Stress occurs as a result of factors referred to as stressors. Stressors can be both positive and negative depending on the factor causing them as well as the type of reaction they trigger. Poor working environments and any experience that creates negative stimulus is responsible for negative stressors while events such as getting married or buying a house are responsible for positive stressors (Mayo Clinic, 2019). Stressors result from both internal and external factors. Other than stimulus from society, stress also occurs as a result of self-generated activities such as worrying about something or developing a pessimist approach towards life.

Regardless of what stimulus evoked the stress, its existence is greatly because of how people perceive events that occur in their life. The argument is based on the fact that events that are considered as stressful to some may only appear as a minor inconvenience to others (AIS, 2016). Take public speaking as an example. To some people, standing in front of a crowd is stressful and even makes it difficult for some to formulate words. There are however people who are rather comfortable in front of a crowd and are in no way affected by the audience (Cantor & Ramsden, 2014). There are also those who perform best when working under pressure as it pushes them to give the best results. Pressure may however be a stress stimulus as some people find pressure a hinderance rather than a motivator. Although people may react differently to stress stimulus, there are common areas that have a likelihood of causing individuals to develop stress and they include;

• Stress at work

Stress at work is caused by the desire to meet set objectives set by the organization. Excessive stress could interfere with a person’s productivity and make it difficult to fulfil the assigned tasks. In such a setting, the individual will find it hard to engage with others. The stress can also affect the individual’s physical and emotional health, making it even more difficult to meet the set objectives (Segal et al, 2020). Stress may also occur as a result of the approach one takes in trying to accomplish personal goals. Other than meeting organizational goals, employees have their own personal goals which are fulfilled depending on how they go about their work. Since a job determines a lot regarding an individual personal life, stress at work can also affect people while at home or among friends.

• Job loss and unemployment stress

Employment is how people earn a living and make enough to support the lifestyles they lead. Loosing a job is therefore a stressful experience as it only threatens an individual’s livelihood, but also forces them to adopt new lifestyles. Often times, loosing as job triggers feelings such as anxiety, anger and depression which greatly contribute to stress.

Effects of stress

Some of the common effects of stress include irritability, anxiety and depression. The effects occur regardless of whether the stress is perceived or real. There are however more severe effects that could greatly affect an individual’s life if not well managed.

• Central nervous and endocrine systems

The central nervous system is responsible for the flight-or-fight response that helps people know how to react to danger. The process starts in the hypothalamus which sends stimulus to the adrenal glands and prompts them to release stress hormones. The hormones in turn increase the heartbeat rate which sends blood rushing to the area that has experienced the stimulus (Oxington, 2005). The blood for example could be directed to the muscles and this makes it easier to support any decision, whether to fight or flee. The effect is however supposed to only last until the stimulus causing the stress goes away and the same process occurs but this time to inform the system to return to normal. In the case of individuals with chronic stress, the process may take longer and the body stays in a state of anticipating stress even when the stress stimulus is gone. In such an occurrence, the individual is likely to overreact or engage in harmful activities such as drug abuse or social withdrawal in an attempt to reduce the perceived stimulus.

• Immune system

Stress can positively impact an individual especially when the stimulus is intended to protect the body. Since stress triggers reactions that help individuals avoid infections and physical injury, its occurrence can help the individual have a stronger immune system. If the individual experiences too much stress however, the stimuli could weaken the stress hormones in the immune system and thereby lower its ability to fight bacteria and other diseases (Wingo, 2016). Individuals experiencing such forms of stress tend to be more prone to illnesses such as the flu. It also takes longer for them to recover from such illnesses.

Managing stress

            While stress has the potential to cause harm to an individual, it is something that can be managed. Spending time with friends and family is one of the common approaches taken to manage stress. The exposure puts the individual in a setting that discourages seclusion as people engage in various activities and conversation. The interaction provides the distraction needed to shift focus from the stress causing stimulus to something different and this could help overcome the stress (Mayo Clinic, 2019). Other than creating a distraction, family and friends offer support and help the stressed individual to shift their perceptions towards what causing the stress.

            Managing stress also requires one to remain active. Engaging in activities can help individuals draw more meaning to their life and the achievements they make. Staying active prevents the mind from acting on the individual’s fears to create stimulus that could trigger stress (Mayo Clinic, 2019). When engaged in an activity, the mind will divert more attention to the task at hand and in so doing, draw attention from the stress trigger. It is however advisable for individuals to engage in activities that have a positive impact on the individual’s life to avoid the chances of experiencing more stressors.

            Another approach that can be used to manage stress is seeking professional help. Individuals who are greatly affected by stress can seek the services of professional such as counsellors and other caregivers to help them to better understand their condition. Since some stress is caused by an individual’s or anticipation of a future that may not even come to pass, professionals can help individuals to manage their anxiety. Teaching patients how to prevent thoughts from running wild can help them to better manage stressful conditions without having to suffer from the negative side effects.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

References

American Institute of Stress, (2016) “Stress effects” retrieved from,            https://www.stress.org/stress-effects

Cantor, D., & Ramsden, E. (2014). Stress, shock, and adaptation in the twentieth century.            University of Rochester Press

Ehrenfeld T, (2018) “The three types of stress” Psychology today, retrieved from,             https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/open-gently/201812/the-three-types-            stress#:~:text=According%20to%20the%20American%20Psychological,chronic%20s       tress%20is%20often%20ignored.

Mayo Clinic, (2019) “Stress symptoms: Effects on your body and behaviour” retrieved from,             https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress-    symptoms/art-20050987#

Oxington, K. V. (2005). Psychology of stress. New York: Nova Biomedical Books.

Segal J, Segal R, Smith M, and Robinson L, (2020) “Stress symptoms, signs and causes” Help Guide, retrieved from, https://www.helpguide.org/articles/stress/stress-       symptoms-signs-and-causes.htm

Wingo, M. K. (2016). The impact of the human stress response: The biologic origins of    human stress. Roxwell Waterhouse