Stress can be defined as any type of change that causes physical, emotional or psychological stress, in response to an internal or external stressor. Stress affects many other systems in our body, including metabolism, memory, and the immune system. In addition to involving changes that affect bodily systems, stress also affects how a person feels and behaves. For example, shortness of breath, restlessness, increased speech rate, increased negative emotions, and prolonged stress fatigue. Stress can affect physical and mental health, and reduce quality of life.
Stress can be short-term or long-term, and both can cause a variety of different symptoms.
Stress is not always easy to identify, and here are some common signs that you may be under too much stress:
Stress can be divided into three types: Acute Stress, Episodic Acute Stress, and Chronic Stress.
Acute stress is a very short-term stress in response to challenging or difficult situations. This is the type of stress most commonly encountered in everyday life. Emotions and bodies usually return to normal relatively quickly, without interfering with relationships or careers. Symptoms may include fast heart rate, sweating, rapid breathing, irritability, fear, sleep disturbances, etc.
Episodic acute stress refers to a life in which acute stress occurs frequently. There is insufficient time to recover nor return to a state of relaxation, and the effects on our mind and body can accumulate with it. You may experience fatigue, difficulty concentrating or making decisions, feeling overwhelmed, tense or irritable. If this stress is ignored or not dealt with in a timely manner, this can lead to serious physical or mental illnesses, especially if we have unhealthy coping mechanisms.
Chronic stress is when the stress is seemingly never-ending and lasts for a long time. Symptoms to look out for include difficulty sleeping, chronic headaches or pains, fatigue despite getting rest, weight changes, feelings of helplessness.
In the long-term, stress can have many negative effects on health. For example, it is associated with anxiety, depression, burnout, other physical health conditions including cardiovascular diseases, and gastrointestinal conditions.
It is essential to know how to cope with stress. There are many lifestyle changes and self-management techniques. In addition, some people may find that having a social support circle helps. Going to therapy and speaking to a therapist will also be beneficial and equip you with many essential skills for stress management. Read more on how to manage stress.
