How To Deal With Chronic Stress
When an individual keeps feeling stressed due to a particular problem over a long period of time, it is chronic stress. Stress is actually a good thing when it is short term. It enables you to make wise decisions when confronted with a fight-or-flight situation. However, if the trigger i.e. the factor responsible for stress is present over a long period of time, the stress becomes chronic and this type of stress is not good. Chronic stress symptoms include constant headaches, lack of sleep, anxiety, weight loss or weight gain, and high blood pressure which can eventually lead to cardiovascular diseases. Chronic stress treatments are available and they can help an individual deal with chronic stress symptoms. Chronic stress treatments include identifying the underlining cause and eliminating it, diet, exercise, use of supplements and lots more.
Understanding Chronic Stress
Chronic stress is defined as the response of the body to prolonged exposure to stress. Stress is a biological response to demanding situations. When stress is present for a short while, it is known as acute stress. This type of stress ensures the survival of the individual. It helps to make decisions in life-threatening situations. For instance, when an individual encounters a dangerous animal or when faced with phobic situations such as stage fright, sporting events, trying to meet a deadline etc.
Stress is chronic when it happens over a long period of time i.e. it is prolonged. This is usually due to the continuous presence of the factor responsible for the stress. For instance, an unhappy relationship will eventually lead to chronic stress unless the cause is removed. Financial difficulties and a high-pressure job are other causes of chronic stress. This type of stress ensures the emergence of chronic stress symptoms.
Stress causes the body to release hormones called corticosteroids, such as cortisol and adrenaline. These hormones help prepare the body to take action in stressed situations, for example by increasing the heart and breathing rates. When this ensues, an expert might describe a person as being in a state of heightened alertness or arousal. The physical effects of stress usually do not last long (acute stress). However, some people find themselves in a nearly constant state of heightened alertness. This is chronic stress.
Both these hormones, in combination with the nervous system, stop all the needless systems of the body which leads to decreased salivary flow, reduced blood flow to the digestive system and many others. The continuous supply of these hormones, adrenaline, and cortisol will keep the other parts of the body inactive. This is because the blood flows to the limbs, brain, eyes and the heart majorly rather than other parts of the body. This has harmful effects on both physical and mental health unless chronic stress treatments are administered. For example, decreased blood flow to the digestive system leads to an imbalance in the insulin levels. In fact, experts have linked stress with blood sugar and tummy fat. Chronic stress raises insulin level, thereby resulting in relentless metabolic dysfunction that becomes weight gain, insulin resistance and ultimately diabetes.
Chronic Stress Symptoms
There are different chronic stress symptoms and this can vary for everyone. Identifying chronic stress starts with recognizing chronic stress symptoms. Chronic stress can affect how you feel emotionally, mentally and physically, and also how you behave. Ascertaining the symptoms can help to know the proper chronic stress treatment to administer. These symptoms include:
- Heart-related problems: the continuous release of adrenaline and cortisol leads to increased heart rate. Imagine what will happen if the heartbeat is always on the rise. It will eventually lead to heart-related problems.
- Insomnia: since the body remains in a state of high alertness, this prevents the individual from sleeping.
- Diabetes: raises insulin level, thereby resulting in relentless metabolic dysfunction that becomes weight gain, insulin resistance and ultimately diabetes.
- Getting sick often due to suppression of the immune system: the defense system of the body against foreign agents becomes weak due to chronic stress.
- Decrease in muscle tone: since the muscles remain tense over a prolonged period, there can be an observed decrease in the muscle tone of the individual.
Other chronic stress symptoms are:
- Headaches: constant headaches are usually common among chronic stress patients
- Fertility problems
- Low sex drive
- Irregular menstrual periods
- Mood swings, loneliness, and emotional disorders
- Panic attacks and panic disorders
Treatment Of Chronic Stress
Chronic stress can be overwhelming. A person may feel unable to reclaim control over their life. However, a number of strategies can help to reduce stress levels and improve well-being. Below are some chronic stress treatments:
- Identify the underlying cause: as mentioned earlier, stress is only chronic when the stressor, i.e. the stress causing factor is continuously present. To treat chronic stress, the stressor has to be removed. This can be difficult especially if it is beyond the individual’s control like situations such as loss of a loved one. However, the individual should try to deal with such issues and find ways to cope.
- Understand chronic stress symptoms: some persons are not even aware they are suffering from chronic stress. They have no understanding of chronic stress symptoms. Stress signals for individuals can vary, but if a person can understand how they respond to stress, they will be better able to manage them.
- Talk to a friend or a counselor: a major way to overcome chronic stress is based on the person’s behavioral and social skills. Socializing helps to deal with stress, it is a good way to relax. A counselor might also be able to recommend various techniques that might help to deal with chronic stress symptoms.
- Exercise: since the body of a chronic stress patient is filled with adrenaline and cortisol, hormones that ultimately increase the energy level of the individual, exercising is a way to make use of that energy. Exercise helps you burn off the chemicals of stress and helps heal the mind and body.
- Relaxation and sleep: deliberately practicing relaxation techniques help a lot. You can’t just sit there and watch television or drink beer. You should be involved in activities. Learn a new skill or improve on previous ones. Deep breathing also goes a long way to relax the body. You can start yoga or you can go for a walk. Get a massage, help someone, do the things you love.
- Meditate: this is a very important chronic stress treatment. It is effective regardless of the amount of time you can commit daily. Someone once referred to meditation as a mind ordering and rearranging process. One important benefit of meditation is that it removes the worry and decreases anxiety, which causes stress.
Get help! All these simple steps might not work for you. You do not have to worry as there are many experts on chronic stress. The best of them are at www.springfieldwellnesscenter.com . They are really good at what they do and you are welcome to our facility as we are confident we will be able to help.