What is Stress?

When we hear the word “stress,” we probably cringe. Stress brings to mind worry and anxiety, busy days filled with to-do lists we’ll never finish, and no time to relax. All of those things are part of the stress puzzle, but they’re not the whole picture. Stress isn’t always about worry, and the better we can understand stress, the better we can learn how to handle stress for healthier—and happier—living.

Stress is the body’s response to any change. Any event—whether positive or negative—that causes a change in your life, your body, or your emotions is a stress. If you get your dream promotion, you’re experiencing stress. On the other hand, if you get fired, you’re also experiencing stress. Whenever a change occurs, our bodies and minds prepare for action of some kind—and this response is stress in action.

The following events all produce stress:

• Staying up until 1 a.m. having fun with friends
• Moving
• Not having enough money to pay the rent
• Failing a test
• Starting a new relationship
• Divorce
• Getting a raise at work
• Studying all night for a big exam
• Being thrown a surprise party

Whether the change is for the better or a major setback, it’s going to produce stress. Imagined changes can also cause stress. Thinking about possible financial problems, daydreaming about an exciting adventure, or imagining failing an upcoming test can cause the body to produce the same stress response that it would if those things really happened. This imagined stress is called worry, nervousness, or excitement.

Changes in your bodily health are also stress. Temporary illness, infection, a chronic medical condition, or a broken bone are all stresses. Exercise is a stress as well—but it’s a good stress that actually helps to relieve the not-so-good kind of stress in the long run.

When you’re under stress, your body produces what is known as the stress response. Your system detects the presence of stress, and your body prepares to produce more energy to handle the stressful event. That’s why your body can’t differentiate between positive stress and negative stress; it is only concerned with whether or not it will be able to stand the stress. Staying up too late having fun with friends may feel positive, but it still requires extra energy, and this energy is produced in part by the stress response.

Stress is a constant factor in life. In fact, if there were no stress, we would all be incredibly boring. The key is to understand the impact that stress has on your body and your emotional state. If stress is allowed to build up over time with no release or a sudden, overwhelming major stress hits, you can experience a state of overstress which will have serious negative effects on your body’s ability to function. Healthy habits are about finding a balance between stress and relaxation.

Author: Nan Little
Website: http://www.insightjournal.com/

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