Stress – It’s About Your Body!

Stress is just a state of mind . . . right?
No, Sir!

Sorry if I’m breaking the news.
The majority of stressed individuals do not realize this:
A person’s natural stress response is mainly a physiological event.

Stress Affects Your Body!

This means that the effects of stress have never been limited to our minds. 

As the graphic shows, when a person is stressed, all parts of their body experience it. Vector graphic by Freepik

Stress is affecting your body, whether or not you are aware of it.

For decades, health professionals have been attributing a general state of ill health to stress. They have urged the public to seek ways to manage stress.

It’s a little scary: A person who experiences chronic stress over several years runs a much higher risk of deteriorating health conditions.

A common example of this is high blood pressure. Graphic by Freepik

Another alarming study has revealed that a heightened stress level over a period of time causes memory loss and brain shrinkage!

Bottom line: Stress — It’s about your body. If you want to be physically healthier, then you must understand how stress affects your body. 

The Cycle of Stress

Scientists have observed how stress cycles through stages. This stress model shows how it progresses to the physiological state.

1^st Phase: Mental and Emotional Triggers A person perceives an event, situation, action or idea as negative and stressful.

2nd Phase: Psychological If the person feels unequipped to handle the situation or continues thinking in a negative or exaggerated way, he experiences an ongoing state of psychological stress.

3rd Phase: Physiological Stress or “Fight or Flight” Response: Unmitigated psychological stress often leads to actual, physiological stress. Graphic by Stress Buffer

When the instinctual “fight or flight” response comes into play, a person feels an immediate surge of adrenaline. As a result, their speed, strength, and stamina temporarily increase.

The nervous tension causes changes in the body. A person’s breathing rate and pulse rate also increase in preparation for sudden, intense physical activity. An example is running away from a real, physical danger.

When the perceived threat or danger finally passes, the stress normally abates.

In any case, stress affects your body.

Then and now . . .

In pre-modern civilization, thousands of years ago, the instinctual “fight or flight” response was essential for our hunter-gatherer ancestors. They had to battle wild animals and each other.

Scientists today believe that stress adaptation evolved from the dilemma of our ancestors living in a threatening and dangerous environment. The body and mind rise to the occasion. Physical and mental stress adapt to the level of actual or perceived danger.

Is Stress Affecting Your Body?

23 Signs and Symptoms of Stress: Watch Out! 

Do you experience any of these PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS: 

1. Inexplicable exhaustion or fatigue

2. Acute headaches that have a tendency to disrupt work or chores at home

3. Shallow chest breathing

4. Increased heart rate even when not performing strenuous or challenging physical activities

5. Minor muscular pain

6. Twitches

7. Facial tics

8. Hand and arm tremors

9. A general feeling of nervousness and anxiety

10. Insomnia

11. Oversleeping

12. Inexplicable perspiring of the hands and feet

13. Turning to different substances such as caffeine, alcohol, nicotine and even recreational drugs

14. Shallow chest breathing very common

15. Minor muscular pain

16. Facial tics 

Moderate and extreme stress often manifests as these MENTAL SYMPTOMS:

17. Short temper

18.  Inexplicable mood swings

19.  Feeling isolated and helpless

20.  Short-term memory problems

21.  A general decrease in work productivity

22.  Lowered sexual desire

23.  Distracted thinking

The body doesn’t lie. If you are experiencing any of the common physical or mental symptoms of stress, your body is sending you a signal to become aware and make some adjustments.

In this blog, we discuss natural ways you can relieve your stress, even eliminate it, for a healthier, more enjoyable life, both mentally and physically.

What about Psychological Stress?

The psychological signs of stress often manifest after long periods of continual stress. These signs arise as the mind is trying to escape the stressful situation in any way it can.

Psychological stress is one of the main reasons that stressed individuals are often less productive in the office. 

Their minds are virtually exhausted from the prolonged stress response. Their thought patterns are distracting them from focusing on the task-at-hand. Vector graphic by Freepik

If they are taking courses as well, as is common in continual workplace and professional development, the new learning can seem overwhelming. Then stress surmounts, just like back in the school days.

A Common Problem?

How severe are stress-related physiological symptoms in the general population?

In the United States alone, seventy-five percent to 90% of all doctor’s office visits are for stress-related ailments and complaints.

In another recent study, 1 in 6 United States adults reported taking a stress-related drug, such as a sedative or antidepressant.

That’s 40 million sufferers attempting to manage their symptoms with medication. 

Doctors attribute a multitude of ailments to stress. Whether triggered by constant worry, nervous tension, work and responsibility pressures, or any other trigger, the inevitable outcome is that stress affects the body.

Can you medicate your stress away? Or just the current physical symptom? Is medication a solution or a temporary comfort cushion?

Caution: Please be aware that the symptoms described in this article may be signs of health conditions that require medical attention. Consulting your physician is your best option if you experience physical symptoms, such as racing heart.

The Takeaway:

Stress is a natural response to a real or perceived danger. It starts with an emotional and mental state. If not abated, over time it develops into a psychological problem and then a physiological manifestation. People finally suspect that stress is affecting the body when the symptoms become apparent. Then they often turn to medications for a “quick fix”.

Whatever you do, don’t ignore these symptoms. Read on in our blog for the tips, tricks, and techniques people use to control stress and not let it affect their health.

What Do You Think?

Is ongoing medication the best way to deal with a natural response?

We welcome your comments in the box below

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