What is Stress?   

Stress is a feeling of emotional or physical tension caused by challenging circumstances. It is a natural response that can affect our physical and mental health. It can be triggered by various events, ranging from minor daily hassles to more significant life events, such as a deadline at work, a difficult exam, a financial challenge, a relationship issue, a significant life change, or a move to a new city.  

Stress triggers the release of hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, which help us deal with challenges. But if it’s prolonged, it can cause serious physical and mental health problems like high blood pressure, weakened immune system, anxiety, and depression.   

Some stress can be good! Positive stress, also called eustress, can motivate us to achieve our goals and make us feel energized, focused, and satisfied. For example, the stress of preparing for a job interview can push us to be better prepared and perform at our best. Similarly, the stress of preparing for a challenging exam can motivate a student to study harder and achieve better grades.   

However, it is important to recognize that even positive stress can adversely affect our physical and mental well-being. Therefore, acquiring effective coping mechanisms to manage positive and negative stress is necessary to balance our lives.    

Types of stress:   

Stress can manifest in different ways and impact our physical and mental health. That’s why it’s essential to understand the different types of stress to manage them effectively.    

Acute stress:   

This is the most common and short-lived type of stress and is usually caused by a single event, such as a job interview, sudden illness or injury, or a sudden financial crisis. The good news is that acute stress is typically short-lived and goes away once the event has passed. However, if we don’t manage it properly, acute stress can lead to chronic stress.   

Subtypes of acute stress include:    

• Time-limited stressors: These are events that have a clear beginning and end, such as a job interview or a sports competition.    
• Event stressors: These are sudden, unexpected events that can be either positive (such as winning the lottery) or negative (such as the death of a loved one).    
• Anticipatory stressors: These are stressors that we anticipate will happen in the future, such as a medical test or a public speaking engagement.    

  

Episodic acute stress:   

It is a condition that develops when a person experiences acute stress on a regular basis. People prone to episodic acute stress may experience a series of stressful events, such as deadlines at work or family conflicts. Unlike everyday stress, which is short-lived and manageable, episodic acute stress can be chronic and debilitating. A series of stressful events, such as work deadlines, financial difficulties, or relationship problems, often cause this type of stress.   

People with this condition may feel rushed, constantly worried about the future, and frequently experience physical symptoms such as headaches or stomachaches. They may also struggle to manage their emotions, often feeling angry, irritable, or anxious.   

Subtypes of episodic acute stress include:    

• Overload stress: It Occurs when a person takes on too many tasks or responsibilities at once.    
• Conflict stress: Arises when a person is torn between two or more competing demands or values.    
• Trauma stress: Happen when a person experiences a traumatic event, such as a natural disaster or a violent crime.   

  

Chronic stress:   

Unlike acute stress, chronic stress can persist for a prolonged period and doesn’t go away once the event has passed, and if left untreated, it can negatively impact our physical and mental health.   

Ongoing work, relationships, finances, or health difficulties can cause chronic stress which can lead to various health issues, such as headaches, fatigue, digestive problems, anxiety, depression, high blood pressure, and heart disease. It can also weaken our immune system, making us more vulnerable to illnesses and infections.   

This type of stress can negatively impact physical and mental health, adversely affecting an individual’s overall well-being.    

Subtypes of chronic stress include:    

• Environmental stressors: Such as noise or air pollution, are stressors that come from the environment.    
• Work stressors: These are associated with the workplace, such as job insecurity or extended working hours.  
• Social stressors: Typically, these are associated with social situations, such as relationship issues or social isolation.  

  

Causes of stress:

Understanding the causes of stress is crucial to managing it effectively. When we know what triggers our stress, we can take steps to reduce its impact on our physical and mental health. Stress can be caused by various factors, including:    

• Work-related stress: Long working hours, high workloads, or difficult relationships with colleagues can cause work-related stress.  
• Financial stress: Unexpected expenses, unemployment, or debt can result in financial stress.  
• Relationship stress: Conflict with a partner, family member, or friend can lead to significant stress.    
• Health-related stress: Being sick, having chronic pain, or having a disability can also lead to health-related stress.  
• Life changes: Major life events, such as moving, getting married, or having a baby, can also be a significant source of stress.    

  

Effects of stress:

When we experience stress, it can have a variety of effects on our mental, physical, behavioral, and work-related well-being. Let’s take a look at how stress can affect our overall well-being.   

Mental Effects: Stress can negatively affect our mental health, causing anxiety, depression, or difficulty concentrating. These symptoms can interfere with our ability to function in daily life and impact our overall quality of life.   

Physical Effects: Stress can also lead to physical symptoms such as headaches, muscle tension, fatigue, and digestive problems. These symptoms can be uncomfortable and impact our ability to carry out daily tasks.   

Behavioral Effects: Stress can lead to unhealthy coping mechanisms, such as overeating, substance abuse, or social withdrawal. These behaviors may arise as a way of coping with stress, but they can have negative consequences for our physical and emotional health in the long run.   

Work Effects: Stress can also impact our job performance and satisfaction. When experiencing chronic stress, we may struggle to concentrate, make decisions, or be productive. This can lead to frustration or dissatisfaction with our work, further exacerbating our stress levels.   

 

Conclusion:

Stress is a normal part of life, but it doesn’t have to control us. By understanding the different types of stress, their causes, and their effects we can better recognize them when we are experiencing such situations.

We can take steps to manage it effectively. Adopting effective coping techniques can help reduce the impact of stress on our physical and mental health.

If you’re looking for practical ways to manage stress, check out our other blog post, “10 ways to cope with stress: techniques that work” from mindfulness meditation to exercise and beyond, we’ve got you covered with techniques that are proven to help.

Remember, taking care of yourself should always be a top priority, so don’t hesitate to explore coping strategies until you find the ones that work best for you.