Stress can be both good and bad. What are examples of some “bad” type of stress? What are examples of “good” types of stress?
Yes… most things in life, no matter how negative they seem, also have good aspects to them. For example, many of the bacteria that plague us within our bodies also have their good uses. The only problem is when they are too many.
So, when it comes to stress, there are also good types and bad types of stress.
Don’t go being moody or go into temper tantrum when told you are stressed up, because sometimes this state of affairs can be of immense benefit to your health. A brief boot of stress is desirable after all, because it can give your immune system a beneficial boost… but only under certain conditions.
Research conducted of the Ohio State University, indicated that short period of stress mobilized all major types of immune cells or Leucocytes, to potential infection sites round the body. The researchers say this stress-induced boost in the number of immune “foot soldiers” may be of benefit for fighting infections and other diseases.
An expert, Dr. Firdaus Dhabhar, supports this. A cute stress, he pointed out, could help increase immune protection. An increase in leucocytes, or white blood cells activity, and availability may enhance the immune systems ability to protect the body during surgery, vaccination or during an infection.
Leucocytes are always present in the body but remain dormant until an immune response is activated by wounds or infections, or until the brain identifies a stressful situation. When that happens, the brain releases hormones that set Leucocytes into motion. Just one session of acute stress can cause significant increases in the number of Leucocytes. In fact, the amount of certain types of immune cells had increased by 200 to 300 percent in the experimental stressed mice.
Don’t go running off yet; there is a downside to this. In people with pre-existing inflammatory illnesses such as cardiovascular diseases and auto immune disorder like arthritis and multiple sclerosis, ushering in increased number of immune cells to sites of potential immune reaction could worsen their condition when they are under stress.
Another form of stress is illustrated in situations like getting ready to go a big dance or sitting down for a final exam. A little of this stress can help keep you on your toes, ready to rise to a challenge.
But there are some situations, like long-term events such as divorce that can cause stress. And there are the ones that produce a lasting, low-level stress that is very hard on people.
Because the nervous system senses continued pressure and may remain activated, thus pumping out extra hormones over an extended period.
The result? The body reserves are worn out not… leaving you depleted and over whelmed. Your body immune system weakens, and a list of other problems start.
Some of this stress can be extreme and may require special attention and care. Post traumatic stress disorder is a very strong stress reaction that can develop in a person who has lived through extremely traumatic events, such as a serious car accident, a natural disaster like an earth quake etc.
So, now you know that stress can be good and it can be bad… it all depends on to what degree you allow it to happen. Like you obviously must have heard – too much of everything is bad. So, practice moderation in everything you do… so that stress doesn’t get out of control.
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