There are a multitude of reasons that people find themselves stressed in their daily life. Some points of stress are situational, or they can be more general — like family, work, school and personal relationships. Stress can be overwhelming to endure alone, and without helpful ways of managing, it can create havoc in the mind and body.
Stress is a biochemical reaction to something that creates tension — whether that is emotional or physical. When we experience stress, our brain goes into “high alert” as it prepares our body to respond to whatever situation is at hand. In these moments, our body begins a complex process, part of which is to release hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline, essentially preparing the body to fight, flee or freeze.
While this process can be lifesaving in truly dangerous situations, experiencing this stress reaction on an ongoing basis can have detrimental health consequences.
The responses caused by stress are normal and can be very useful. Stress helps us do well on tests or perform well at work. Stress helps us slam on the brakes when a car in front of us stops suddenly. However, stress can also cause physical, emotional, cognitive and behavioral difficulties including nausea, racing thoughts, inconsistent sleep, anxiety, panic attacks and difficulty concentrating.
If stress goes unaddressed it can lead to serious health issues like obesity, substance use disorder, heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes. It is extremely important to monitor the responses you are having to stress, and find ways to better manage them.
If you are experiencing symptoms of stress, try using these practices to help: https://bit.ly/3EHBqgi
