A Basic Introduction to Stress

Using technical terms, stress is a disruption of homeostasis, triggered by either real or perceived physical or psychological stimuli. Or more simply put, an thought or action which disrupts the normal balance.

Stress is a term that can be used, often to describe many feelings, or emotions. Anxiety, depression, distress, fear, and exhaustion are just some of these and are all

feelings and reactions which can be described as stress. Stress is something that happens all the time, and affects every person, one way or another, at least some of the time.

Stress can be a good thing, in the right setting. It can be an excellant source of motivation to help get something done, or help someone to react quicker to a potentially dangerous situation.

The body reaction to stress is to release more of the hormones cortisol and epinephrine. This helps stimulate the sympathetic nervous response, or what is commonly referred to as the flight or fight response. In some instances this can be very useful, however, if prolonged for too long or occurring too often, it can produce negative effects on the body.

Stress that enhances physical or mental function, such as a challenging assignment that you need to complete, winning a race, or upcoming family events such as holidays or a major life event that is positive is referred to as eustress. This is helpful and often proves to be a rewarding stress.  On the other hand, stress caused by adverse events, or negative feelings of suffering, or feeling like you are in harms way, or under the threat of being harmed, is referred to as, distress. Both positive and negative stressors can lead to stress. These stressors can be either physical, or psychological.

Today's Stress Cure Fact Stress Reliever Too much stress can often be attributed to a feeling of being overwhelmed from the combination of work, home, family responsibilities and societal pressures. All too often there are too many things that need to be done at the same time. If there is a plan in place for how to handle problems that may arise they can be contained or controlled before getting out of hand. Often things can be rescheduled or postponed in order to avoid having more than one or two stressful events happening at or around the same time. If one is feeling anxious about a particular event or situation and it can be avoided in any way then it should be. Of course there will always be situations that will arise that are unexpected or beyond control, however if current events are being managed and level of stress kept low they will not have the impact that they otherwise might have had. Since there will always be unexpected situations or times where the environment is stressful arrangement and planning does not always work. stress response

They themselves may not be the exact cause of your stress, as stress is more of a personal interpretation, due to adaptating to situations from past personal experiences, along with the difference between what one might accept, and what is expected. We all have preconceived ideas about how things are supposed to be, and any variance from these, can cause stress.

Many people will often internalize events that occur even if they are not personally affected. There are many factors which can contribute to stress.

Some of these contributors to stress, or stressors, range from environmental factors, like noise and light, to global events like war and natural disasters. Relationship troubles, work and school problems, along with lifestyle choices can all lead to stress.

Stress affects behavior, the mind and body in many different ways, and it is different for each person. There are basic symptoms of stress, but these symtoms will vary from person to person, in how they are observed and/or recognized. No matter who you are, to much stress can cause you harm both emotionally, and physically.