Most people are subject to stress, and knowing how to deal with it is essential. Today, our experts are sharing more about stress, its risks, and how to combat it.
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What is stress?
Although we often talk about stress in everyday life, we don’t really know its exact definition. But it’s important to know what it is so that you can combat it more effectively. Stress is a set of psychological and physiological reactions our bodies have in response to aggression, pressure, or an unusual situation. These reactions plunge us into a state known as stress, which should be distinguished from anxiety, which is an emotion. There are different types of stress.
Stress and its symptoms
Stress can trigger a variety of symptoms, such as:
- stomach ache and even vomiting ;
- difficulty breathing (dyspnoea)
- pressure in the chest
- diarrhoea
- shaky eyes
- eczema;
- headaches or migraines;
When stress persists, it can cause hormonal changes.
Besides, various stress-related symptoms or pains are categorised as psychosomatic disorders. But stress can also trigger symptoms associated with anxiety or anguish:
- sleep disorders ;
- attention and concentration problems ;
- mood swings, irritability ;
- constant tiredness ;
- eating disorders or disordered eating ;
- muscle tension;
- Tingling in the hands;
- addictions (increased consumption of tobacco or alcohol) ;
- symptoms of depression.
Exposure to prolonged or chronic stress can also cause neurological symptoms and cognitive disorders, such as persistent memory and concentration problems, particularly in people with depression. In men, stress and anxiety can also lead to erectile dysfunction. To avoid these troublesome symptoms, there are solutions to combat stress.
Stress: what are the risks?
Stress can also have other consequences for our health, in particular causing :
- dermatological pathologies such as itching or skin rashes like psoriasis, urticaria or the appearance of shingles;
- reactivation of the herpes virus (cold sores);
- cardiovascular problems
- high blood pressure;
- in some cases, chronic stress can encourage the onset of autoimmune diseases, such as alopecia.
Good to know: ulcers are not a frequent consequence of chronic stress. This condition generally occurs in patients who have undergone very intense physical stress, as in the case of people who have been in intensive care.
Remedies to combat stress
Temporary stress is not necessarily a bad thing. It can even be helpful in certain situations as an alarm signal from our brain. For example, stress can help improve performance, especially for a student who is stressed before an exam or someone who must prepare a public speech. This is what we call “good stress”.
On the other hand, long-term stress, known as chronic stress, can have adverse effects on our mental and physical health. It also indicates that we are exposed to a stressful stimulus for a prolonged period.
Finally, some people can’t stand being exposed to a stressor, even if it’s a one-off event – ‘stress stresses them out’, and they’ll find it hard to cope. For example, if a student finds it challenging to manage his stress before an exam, he will reduce his performance (“blank page”) rather than improve it. In this case, you’ll need to use various stress management techniques.
How can I stop stressing all the time?
In some situations, removing the stress factor is enough to reduce it, but not always. Treatments to combat stress may be indicated if a person is suffering from a chronic form of stress or is developing an anxiety disorder. If this applies to you, consult your GP or a psychiatrist to discuss the matter.
If the stress is due to overwork, for example, the doctor can help you and possibly give you time off work if he or she thinks this would be useful.
He can also refer you to behavioural and cognitive therapy to help you manage your anxiety and may prescribe medication to calm your stress if necessary. However, this last approach is not necessarily the best way to deal with stress.
Combating stress at work
Stress at work is a prevalent source of chronic stress. If you suffer from it and take things in hand slowly, the situation could lead to burn-out. The symptoms of burn-out are similar to those of stress (backache, headaches, muscle tension, fatigue, memory problems, difficulty sleeping, prolonged insomnia, mood disorders, etc.).
Understanding the causes to combat stress more effectively:
The mechanisms of stress
The state of stress is due to a chemical reaction in the brain that produces cortisol when faced with a stress factor. This hormone then activates other areas of the brain in response to the perceived aggression, with various repercussions on our metabolism. This corticoid hormone, produced by the adrenal glands, sends information to our brain and causes our state of stress.
Stress factors
There are many different stress factors, and each one is unique. It all depends on how you perceive an event. You may be stressed by a situation that is better accepted by someone else. Stress factors are often external. For example, managing family life, an intense period at work, or an exam period can be triggered. Stress can also come from the apprehension of an event, for example, before a sporting competition.
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