Feeling Stressed? You are NOT Alone!

Stress is defined as a state of mental or emotional strain or tension resulting from adverse or very demanding circumstances. It is how the body responds to a demand or threat. When we feel stress our bodies move into a flight or fight response which causes adrenaline and cortisol to be released into our body.  Our heart begins to beat faster, our blood pressure rises, we breathe harder and our muscles begin to tense up triggering a headache and muscle pains.  Under prolonged stress the body begins to feel the stress in the stomach, bowels and sex drive.  When stress is not managed properly it may eventually lead to inflammation of the coronary arteries, autoimmune disorders and cancer.

Watch this brief TED-Ed video to learn how stress affects your body.

  The factors that cause stress are known as stressors. We usually think of stressors as negative or anything that puts a high demand on us. We all have a tolerance level to stress. Factors that influence our ability to tolerate stress include our emotional awareness, the quality of our relationships and support network, our physical activity, our diet, our sense of control, our attitude, and our outlook. The causes of stress can be external or internal. The following are examples:

External: major life changes, work or school, relationship difficulties, being too busy, children and family responsibilities.

Internal: chronic worry, pessimism, unrealistic expectations, perfectionism, rigid thinking, lack of flexibility, all or nothing attitude

Stress effects our cognitive functioning, our emotional well-being, our physical body and our behavior.  Here are some examples:

Cognitive---memory problems, poor judgment, see only the negative, anxious or racing thoughts, constant worry, forgetfulness, disorganization, difficulty concentrating and making decisions

Emotional---depression, anxiety, agitation, moody, irritable, angry, feeling overwhelmed, loneliness, isolation, panic attacks

Physical---aches and pains, tiredness, weakness, fatigue, diarrhea, constipation, nausea, dizziness, chest pain, rapid heartbeat, stroke, hypertension, loss of sex drive, frequent colds or flu, immune system disturbances, rheumatoid arthritis and certain cancers

Behavior---eating more or eating less, sleeping too much or too little, withdrawal from others, procrastination or neglecting responsibilities, increase use of alcohol, tobacco or drugs to relax, nervous habits, grinding teeth, stuttering or stammering