What is Stress

Just what is stress, how do you identify the warning signs and symptoms, and what can you do to relieve your stress today?

Everyone experiences the symptoms of stress at one time or another - sweaty palms, butterflies in your stomach, and a racing pulse are familiar feelings associated with stress.

Everyday can be a challenge to get through - unrelenting workloads, financial concerns and worry about the future. Stress is a fact of life, BUT it does not have to be a way of life for you!

While a little stress in our lives can be good for us.

Feeling overwhelmed and pressured for too long can play a role in depression, anxiety, allergies, cancer, heart disease and other stress related illnesses.

Having an understanding of stress and the warning signs of too much stress can give you the motivation to take control and protect yourself from the effects of stress.

What is stress

What is stress and how it affects the body is a common question these days. Many of us have experienced the feelings of stress, but a definition of stress is more elusive.

Richard Lazarus, the father of modern stress research says that stress is experienced when a person perceives that the "demands exceed the personal and social resources the individual is able to mobilize."

The Body’s Stress Response When you perceive stress, your body secretes stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol. These stress chemicals that put you on the alert. You may notice some physical changes, such as increased muscle tension and breathing rate, sweaty palms or a dry mouth as your body mobilizes resources to 'fight or flee' from the perceived threat.

When stress occurs the stress response is activated – which is your body’s response to stress.

The stress response is your body’s way of protecting you. This stress response also known as the fight or flight response, and is a normal response to stress.

The fight or flight response improves your focus, speeds up your reaction time and increases your strength.

While the fight or flight response may have been important in the past in response to a life-threatening situation, many of today’s causes of stress include work stress, financial concerns, and relationship conflict or family responsibilities.

The fight or flight response may not be the most effective method of dealing with these types of stress.

What is stress: The effects of chronic stress on your health

The stress interaction between body and mind is a complex process. The body doesn’t distinguish between a real or perceived threat.

So whether your cause of stress is a traffic jam, a sick child, financial worries or a life threatening situation, the adrenal glands produce adrenaline and cortisol – your hormones prepare your body for action by increasing heart rate, breathing and muscle tension.

Once the stress passes, this heightened state subsides and the body starts to recuperate...

...BUT what happens if you have a lot of things causing you stress in your everyday life?

This can mean that your body’s defense system can be turned on most of the time – and you may NOT have a chance to relax, rest and recuperate.

You may adapt to the increased stress and think you are doing OK... but this unhealthy chronic stress can produce wear and tear on the on the body and have a serious impact on your health.

Having an understanding of what is stress, and the effects of stress on the mind and body can help to develop a rationale for your stress management.

Identifying the warning signs and symptoms of stress

While stress can be positive - sharpening your attention and keeping you on your toes - too much stress for too long can be harmful to your health and well-being.

Different people can tolerate different stress levels – so it is difficult to say how much stress is too much. This makes it important to recognize your stress symptoms and know your warning signs.

The following is a general overview of some warning signs of stress overload.

When looking at these warning signs and symptoms of stress, keep in mind that these symptoms could be result of other medical problems. It is important for you to visit your local doctor for a complete checkup.

Recognizing the causes of stress for you

Have you been stressed in a job interview, gone through a relationship breakdown, had a car accident or endured an earthquake? If so, then it is likely you have experienced acute stress.

We are often aware of events that cause acute stress and require an immediate response.

However, research shows that chronic stress is generally more harmful to your health.

Chronic stress is the sort of stress that can be thought of as the daily hassles of living. Some examples of chronic stress may include the daily commuting to work, financial and relationship problems or unrelenting workloads.

Chronic stress can be deceptive but can have a severe impact on your health.

Knowing the causes of stress can help you to put into place stress management techniques. Download a causes of stress worksheet and start monitoring your stress today.

What can you do today to beat stress

Knowing what is stress and the warning signs is important for your stress management. Too much stress for too long can take its toll on your mind and body.

The old adage that "you can’t solve a problem until you identify it" is also true of stress management. Monitoring your stress levels and knowing how you react can give you objective date about your stressors and how you react to them. Download a stress diary today and start monitoring your stress levels.

When stressed the body activates the stress response. However, the stress response, when activated for too long can take it’s toll your health and wellbeing. Practicing the following relaxation exercises will help you to activate the relaxation response which counters the effects of stress.

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