Stress: The Surprising Effects and Why you sometimes need it!

Stress is our body’s response, real or perceived, to being threatened or under pressure. This is heightened when we are in a situation that we feel we cannot manage or control. What happens to our body and mind with different stresses if we do not acknowledge them and try to reducing them in our lives?

What exactly is stress doing to your body? When we experience something we feel as stressful, the hypothalamus (a tiny region at the base of your brain) kicks off an alarm system which sends signals to the adrenal glands creating cortisol (and other stress hormones), which prepares our bodies for a fight-or-flight response – heart rate increases, blood pressure rises, breathing quickens and muscles tighten. Extra glucose is pumped into the bloodstream helping brain and muscle repair function faster while reducing non-essential functions at the same time - reproduction, immune and digestive systems and lessens our memory capacity.

According to the American Psychological Association, there are three types of stress — acute stress, episodic acute stress and chronic stress. Acute stress is an immediate fight-or-flight response where symptoms are often short-lived. When acute stress episodes become more regular, our body and mind stay in a state of tension and this becomes episodic acute stress. The symptoms of episodic acute stress will occur more often and worsen over time. Chronic stress in long term ongoing stress. It is created over many years that wears us down, through what we believe and how we see the world around us from our life experiences. Chronic stress often feeds chronic and acute illness.

Mind, the mental health charity, states the following symptoms we can experience relating to unresolved prolonged stress:

Emotional symptoms: Irritable, angry, impatient or wound up, over-burdened or overwhelmed, anxious, nervous or afraid, tearful, like your thoughts are racing and you can't switch off, unable to enjoy yourself, depressed, uninterested in life, avoiding others, like you've lost your sense of humour, a sense of dread, worried or tense, neglected or lonely, existing mental health problems getting worse, losing control, and/or low self-esteem.

Physical symptoms: difficulty breathing, hyperventilating, panic attacks, sleep related problems, low energy, fatigue, muscle aches, headaches, chest pain, rapid heartbeat, high blood pressure, dizziness or fainting, clenched jaw, grinding teeth, nausea, indigestion, digestive issues, low sex drive, skin rashes.

Behavioural symptoms: difficulty in making decisions, inability to concentrate, memory slower,  constantly worrying or feelings of dread, irritability or tearfulness, changes in appetite (not eating enough or eating too much), snap at people, procrastinating and avoiding responsibilities, increased use of alcohol, drugs, or cigarettes, nail biting, picking at skin, pacing and fidgeting, fidgeting, spend or shop too much, withdraw from people around you, exercise (not as much or too much).

There is also ‘Eustress' (or good stress), which produces positive feelings of excitement, fulfilment and inspiration without feeling threatened or fearful. Eustress also helps us to feel satisfied, confident and stimulated by a challenge to take on a new skill or responsibility. It is fundamental to our wellbeing.

Short term stress is natural and necessary. We cannot eliminate stress from our lives completely and can make us feel out of sorts or ill, especially when it is ignored. It is key to recognise the presence of stress in your life and commit to minimizing it through self-care.