In life, we come up against various situations that are a source of stress for us on a daily basis. Due to time pressure and increased performance demands, people tend to feel even more stressed about a situation than they really should. But stress isn’t necessarily a bad thing. So learn more about the term “stress” and its different types.
What is stress ?
In psychology, stress is defined as a response to a particular event, with the objective of being ready to face a difficult situation by mobilizing strength, concentration, endurance and increased vigilance. The body reacts to a specific situation happening around it by releasing chemicals into the blood. While many people think of the term “stress” as describing a negative situation, the chemicals released can also give you energy and strength. In reality, there are two distinct types of stress: positive stress or “eustress” and negative stress or “distress”.
The four types of stress
The stress. We all experience it in different ways, and we all have different ways of dealing with it.
Yet despite the fact that stress is commonplace, 90 percent of all consultations with primary care physicians are for stress related ailments 1 . It can be strangely difficult to notice it until it becomes a serious problem.
For some people, stress manifests itself in eating habits. For others, it can take the form of pain. And still others may begin to notice trouble sleeping. So how do we diagnose stress and start treating it when it seems to be lurking?
Even though some people have a high level of self-awareness and are able to perceive stress easily, most people are not. When it comes to detecting stress, there are four common types that are diagnosed by healthcare professionals:
- Physical stress: This is often the most obvious form of stress. It may present as a headache or other pain, or you may notice an increase in your heart rate. Other common signs are being sick more often than usual, or noticing tension throughout the body.
- Mental stress : This form of stress is quite common and rather easy to recognize. Mental stress often presents itself in the form of memory problems, difficulty concentrating or anxiety.
- Behavioral stress: This type of stress can be more difficult to diagnose on your own. Behavioral stress manifests itself as a change in your current habits, such as food consumption (eating more or less than usual), sleep patterns, social withdrawal and avoidance of usual responsibilities.
- Emotional stress: This is another form that is difficult to diagnose. When the body experiences emotional stress, it tends to prepare to fight or flee, which can manifest itself in a sneaky way. Signs of emotional stress may be accompanied by increased restlessness or gloominess.
I know I am under stress – what should I do now?
First of all, congratulate yourself for practicing active awareness and detecting the type of stress that is afflicting you.
If you are experiencing mental stress, you might benefit from practicing mindfulness to help you connect with pleasant thoughts and emotions. If your stress is physical, calming strategies like body sweeping or square breathing may help. If you’re feeling too stressed out to try any of these techniques, that’s okay too. Seek support from a close friend, family member, or healthcare professional. This is often the best place to start.
Our mental health team also offers an integrated and holistic approach to mental health, bringing together the best services in their category at the same address.
Sleep disorders, anxiety, tachycardia, stress-related disorders vary from person to person. The common point ? This feeling of unease that spoils everyday life. Be careful in high doses, “bad stress” is harmful to our physical and psychological balance.
No, stress is not just counterproductive and crippling. For some people it can be essential to succeed in challenges, competitions and other challenges in life. Discover with Doctissimo the benefits of stress.