Life is full of demands, hassles, frustrations, demands and deadlines. For some people, stress is common that it has become a part of their life. Stress is not always negative. In some instances, it can inspire you to do your best or perform under pressure. It may affect, however, your mind and body when you are consistently struggling with stress. Protect yourself by recognizing the signs and symptoms of chronic stress and prevent its dangerous effects in your health. The four common types of stress are:
- Eustress. A type of stress that is exciting and fun. It keeps us full of life. An example is organizing a wedding or planning and packing for an out of town vacation.
- Acute Stress. A type of stress that is usually short-term. It can be positive (eustress) or negative (daily life stressors). We may encounter this type of stress anytime like road accident, giving birth, etc.
- Episodic Acute Stress. These are acute stress that is rampant or part of everyday life like traffic jam going to and from the workplace or babysitting your toddler.
- Chronic Stress. A type of stress that is consistent and never-ending like rocky marriage or demanding job. This is usually inescapable.
Fight or Flight Mechanism and the Nervous System
Stress can have a grave influence on your physical and psychological health because of the high level of chemicals in the "fight or flight" response. Stress is the usual body response to situations that you feel threatening or upsetting your life in some way. When you perceived danger - whether imaginary or real, your physical defense will reach to its high level in an automatic and rapid response known as the "fight or flight" mechanism or stress response.
The ANS or group autonomic nervous system is a network of nerves reaching the spinal cord affecting the organs of the body. Its two main branches are sympathetic and parasympathetic which have opposing effects. The sympathetic ANS helps deal with stressful situations by instigating the fight or flight response. The parasympathetic ANS takes over as soon as the danger has passed. It decreases heart beat and relaxes blood vessel.
For people with good health, these two branches of autonomic nervous system have balance meaning action is followed by relaxation. Sadly, some people's sympathetic ANS remains on guard, making it difficult for them to relax and allow the parasympathetic ANS to take over. If this situation becomes persistent, stress related diseases and illnesses will follow.
Mind and body are linked and the interaction in between causes physical changes. The brain can notice stressor, a physical response is produced which leads to a more emotional reaction and physical and mental damage. Problems like muscle tension and headaches are sometimes cause by reactions that go with stress. Your body is designed to overcome chronic stress and pressure. You must make an action of correcting the negative symptoms of stress. Peace of mind can save you from stress troubles but if you are worried, an expert care is not bad at all. Do not ignore the symptoms of stress.
Some illness and diseases may be caused by stress - directly or indirectly. Here are some symptoms to watch out for. You may be experiencing one or more of them:
- Physical. Frequent fever, insomnia, fatigue, muscle aches, lack of sex desire, diarrhea or constipation, high blood pressure, pounding heart, shortness of breath, chest pain, grinding teeth, clenched jaw, headaches.
- Psychosocial.feelings of being trapped,hopelessness, helplessness, slow racing or thinking, helplessness, apathy, hyper sensitivity, mood swings, anger, defensiveness, sadness, irritability, anxiety.
- Behavioral. Withdrawal, or isolation, increased smoking, alcohol and drug addiction, procrastination, prone to arguments, impatience, under eating or overeating.
Signs of Chronic Stress
- Changes in appetite, gas pain, diarrhea
- Crying for no known reason
- Muscular Tension
- Nervousness or sad, angry or irritable
- Chest pain or breathing problem
- Having problems and/or relationship at work
- Lack of sleep or over sleeping
- Physical and mental fatigue
- Recurring fever
- Tooth grinding
- Skin rashes or hives
- Ringing in the ears
- Faint or feeling dizzy
- Headaches, indigestion, upset stomach
- Lack of motivation or interest, general apathy
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