Stress does come in different forms and caused by differs situation which also ends up with stress effects, In this article, we will discuss more in-depth about types of stress and remedies.
Types of stress
There are several types of stress, including:
- Acute Stress
- Episodic Acute Stress
- Chronic Stress
If the idea of positive stress is new to you, you’re not alone. Most of us equate all stress with negative experiences.
Clinical psychiatrist Dr. Michael Genovese says we rarely think of stress as a positive thing, but eustress is just that — positive stress. “Exciting or stressful events cause a chemical response in the body,” he explained.
Eustress is usually a product of nerves, which can be brought on when faced with a fun challenge. Genovese says this is important because, without eustress, our well-being can suffer.
“Eustress helps us stay motivated, work toward goals, and feel good about life,” CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ABOUT EUSTRESS
Acute stress happens to everyone. It’s the body’s immediate reaction to a new and challenging situation. It’s the kind of stress you might feel when you narrowly escape a car accident. Acute stress can also come out of something that you actually enjoy. It’s the somewhat-frightening, yet thrilling feeling you get on a roller coaster or when skiing down a steep mountain slope.
These incidents of acute stress don’t normally do you any harm. They might even be good for you. Stressful situations give your body and brain practice in developing the best response to future stressful situations.
Once the danger passes, your body systems should return to normal. Severe acute stress is a different story. This kind of stress, such as when you’ve faced a life-threatening situation, can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or other mental health problems.
Episodic Acute Stress
Episodic acute stress is when you have frequent episodes of acute stress. This might happen if you’re often anxious and worried about things you suspect may happen. You might feel that your life is chaotic and you seemingly go from one crisis to the next.
Certain professions, such as law enforcement or firefighters, might also lead to frequent high-stress situations.
As with severe acute stress, episodic acute stress can affect your physical health and mental well-being.
Chronic Stress is another type of stress
When you have high-stress levels for an extended period of time, you have chronic stress. Long-term stress like this can have a negative impact on your health. It may contribute to:
- Cardiovascular disease
- High blood pressure
- A weakened immune system
Chronic stress can also lead to frequent ailments such as headaches, an upset stomach, and sleep difficulties. Gaining insights into the different types of stress and how to recognize them may help.
Causes of stress
Some typical causes of acute or chronic stress include:
- Living through a natural or manmade disaster
- Living with chronic illness
- Surviving a life-threatening accident or illness
- Being the victim of a crime
Experiencing familial stressors such as:
- An abusive relationship
- An unhappy marriage
- Prolonged divorce proceedings
- Child custody issues
- Caregiving for a loved one with a chronic illness like dementia
- Living in poverty or being homeless
- Working in a dangerous profession
- Having little work-life balance, working long hours, or having a job you hate
- Military deployment
There’s no end to the things that can cause a person’s stress because they’re as varied as people are.
Whatever the cause, the effect on the body can be severe if left unmanaged. Explore other personal, emotional, and traumatic causes of stress.
Symptoms of stress
Just as we each have different things that stress us out, our symptoms can also be different.
Although you’re unlikely to have them all, here are some things you may experience if you’re under stress:
- Chronic pain
- Insomnia and other sleep problems
- Lower sex drive
- Digestive problems
- Eating too much or too little
- Difficulty concentrating and making decisions
You might feel overwhelmed, irritable, or fearful. Whether you’re aware of it or not, you may be drinking or smoking more than you used to. Get a better understanding of the signs and symptoms of too much stress.
Stress headaches, also known as tension headaches, are due to tense muscles in the head, face, and neck. Some of the symptoms of a stress headache are:
- Mild to moderate dull head pain
- A band of pressure around your forehead
- Tenderness of the scalp and forehead
Many things can trigger a tension headache. But those tight muscles could be due to emotional stress or anxiety. Learn more about the triggers and remedies for stress headaches.
A stomach ulcer — a type of peptic ulcer — is a sore on the lining of your stomach that’s caused by:
- Infection with helicobacter pylori (H. pylori)
- Long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Rare cancers and tumors
Research into how physical stress interacts with the immune system is ongoing. It’s thought that physical stress may affect how you heal from an ulcer. Physical stress can be due to:
- Trauma or injury to the brain or central nervous system
- Serious long-term illness or injury
- A surgical procedure
In turn, the heartburn and pain of a stomach ulcer can lead to emotional stress. Find out more about the relationship between stress and ulcers.
Some people react to stress by eating, even if they’re not hungry. If you find yourself eating without thinking, binging in the middle of the night, or generally eating way more than you used to, you might be stress eating.
When you stress eat, you take in a lot more calories than you need and you’re probably not choosing the healthiest foods. This can lead to rapid weight gain and a host of health problems.
And it does nothing to resolve your stress.
If you’re eating to relieve stress, it’s time to find other coping mechanisms. Check out some tips to help you stop eating late at night.
Stress at work
Work can be a source of great stress for any number of reasons. This kind of stress can be occasional or chronic.
Stress at work can come in the form of:
- The feeling you lack power or control over what happens
- Feeling stuck in a job you dislike and seeing no alternatives
- Being made to do things you don’t think you should do
- Experiencing conflict with a co-worker
- Having too much asked of you, or being overworked
If you’re in a job you hate or are always responding to others’ demands without any control, stress seems unavoidable. Sometimes, quitting or fighting for more work-life balance is the right thing to do. This is how to know you’re headed for burnout at work.
Of course, some jobs are just more dangerous than others. Some, such as emergency first-responders, call for you to put your life on the line.
Then, there are professions — such as ones in the medical field, like a doctor or nurse — where you hold someone else’s life in your hands. Finding balance and managing your stress is important to maintain your mental health.
Stress and anxiety
Stress and anxiety often go hand in hand. Stress comes from the demands placed on your brain and body. Anxiety is when you feel high levels of worry, unease, or fear.
Anxiety can certainly be an offshoot of episodic or chronic stress.
Having both stress and anxiety can have a severe negative impact on your health, making you more likely to develop:
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease
- Panic disorder
Stress and anxiety can be treated. In fact, there are many strategies and resources that can help both.
Start by seeing your primary doctor, who can check your overall health and refer you for counseling. If you’ve thought about harming yourself or others, get help immediately.
The goal of stress management isn’t to get rid of it completely. It’s not only impossible but as we mentioned, stress can be healthy in some situations. In order to manage your stress, first, you have to identify the things that cause you stress — or your triggers.
Figure out which of these things can be avoided. Then, find ways to cope with those negative stressors that can’t be avoided.
Over time, managing your stress levels may help lower your risk of stress-related diseases. And it’ll help you feel better on a daily basis, too. Here are some basic ways to start managing stress:
- Maintain a healthy diet
- Aim for 7-8 hours of sleep each night
- Exercise regularly
- Minimize your use of caffeine and alcohol
- Stay socially connected so you can get and give support
- Make time for rest and relaxation, or self-care
- Learn meditation techniques such as deep breathing
If you can’t manage your stress, or if it’s accompanied by anxiety or depression, see your doctor right away. These conditions can be managed with treatment, as long as you seek help. You might also consider consulting with a therapist or other mental health professional. Learn stress management tips you can try right now.
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