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What Is Stress?

Your Body's Response to a Situation That Requires Attention or Action

Elizabeth Scott, PhD is an author, workshop leader, educator, and award-winning blogger on stress management, positive psychology, relationships, and emotional wellbeing.

• Identifying
• Next in How Stress Impacts Your Health Guide How to Recognize Burnout Symptoms

Stress can be defined as any type of change that causes physical , emotional, or psychological strain. Stress is your body's response to anything that requires attention or action. 

Everyone experiences stress to some degree. The way you respond to stress, however, makes a big difference to your overall well-being.

Verywell / Brianna Gilmartin

Sometimes, the best way to manage your stress involves changing your situation. At other times, the best strategy involves changing the way you respond to the situation.

Developing a clear understanding of how stress impacts your physical and mental health is important. It's also important to recognize how your mental and physical health affects your stress level.

Watch Now: 5 Ways Stress Can Cause Weight Gain

Signs of stress.

Stress can be short-term or long-term. Both can lead to a variety of symptoms, but chronic stress can take a serious toll on the body over time and have long-lasting health effects.

Some common signs of stress include:

• Changes in mood
• Clammy or sweaty palms
• Decreased sex drive
• Difficulty sleeping
• Digestive problems
• Feeling anxious
• Frequent sickness
• Grinding teeth
• Muscle tension, especially in the neck and shoulders
• Physical aches and pains
• Racing heartbeat

Identifying Stress

What does stress feel like? What does stress feel like? It often contributes to irritability, fear, overwork, and frustration. You may feel physically exhausted, worn out, and unable to cope.

Stress is not always easy to recognize, but there are some ways to identify some signs that you might be experiencing too much pressure. Sometimes stress can come from an obvious source, but sometimes even small daily stresses from work, school, family, and friends can take a toll on your mind and body.

If you think stress might be affecting you, there are a few things you can watch for:

• Psychological signs such as difficulty concentrating, worrying, anxiety, and trouble remembering
• Emotional signs such as being angry, irritated, moody, or frustrated
• Physical signs such as high blood pressure, changes in weight, frequent colds or infections, and changes in the menstrual cycle and libido
• Behavioral signs such as poor self-care, not having time for the things you enjoy, or relying on drugs and alcohol to cope

Stress vs. Anxiety

Stress can sometimes be mistaken for anxiety, and experiencing a great deal of stress can contribute to feelings of anxiety. Experiencing anxiety can make it more difficult to cope with stress and may contribute to other health issues, including increased depression, susceptibility to illness, and digestive problems.

Stress and anxiety contribute to nervousness, poor sleep, high blood pressure , muscle tension, and excess worry. In most cases, stress is caused by external events, while anxiety is caused by your internal reaction to stress. Stress may go away once the threat or the situation resolves, whereas anxiety may persist even after the original stressor is gone.

Causes of Stress

There are many different things in life that can cause stress. Some of the main sources of stress include work, finances, relationships, parenting, and day-to-day inconveniences.

Stress can trigger the body’s response to a perceived threat or danger, known as the fight-or-flight response .   During this reaction, certain hormones like adrenaline and cortisol are released. This speeds the heart rate, slows digestion, shunts blood flow to major muscle groups, and changes various other autonomic nervous functions, giving the body a burst of energy and strength.

Originally named for its ability to enable us to physically fight or run away when faced with danger, the fight-or-flight response is now activated in situations where neither response is appropriate—like in traffic or during a stressful day at work.

When the perceived threat is gone, systems are designed to return to normal function via the relaxation response .   But in cases of chronic stress, the relaxation response doesn't occur often enough, and being in a near-constant state of fight-or-flight can cause damage to the body.

Stress can also lead to some unhealthy habits that have a negative impact on your health. For example, many people cope with stress by eating too much or by smoking. These unhealthy habits damage the body and create bigger problems in the long-term.  

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Types of Stress

Not all types of stress are harmful or even negative. Some of the different types of stress that you might experience include:

• Acute stress : Acute stress is a very short-term type of stress that can either be positive or more distressing; this is the type of stress we most often encounter in day-to-day life.
• Chronic stress : Chronic stress is stress that seems never-ending and inescapable, like the stress of a bad marriage or an extremely taxing job; chronic stress can also stem from traumatic experiences and childhood trauma.
• Episodic acute stress : Episodic acute stress is acute stress that seems to run rampant and be a way of life, creating a life of ongoing distress.
• Eustress : Eustress is fun and exciting. It's known as a positive type of stress that can keep you energized. It's associated with surges of adrenaline, such as when you are skiing or racing to meet a deadline. 

4 Main Types of Stress:

The main harmful types of stress are acute stress, chronic stress, and episodic acute stress. Acute stress is usually brief, chronic stress is prolonged, and episodic acute stress is short-term but frequent. Positive stress, known as eustress, can be fun and exciting, but it can also take a toll.

Impact of Stress

Stress can have several effects on your health and well-being. It can make it more challenging to deal with life's daily hassles, affect your interpersonal relationships, and have detrimental effects on your health. The connection between your mind and body is apparent when you examine stress's impact on your life.

Feeling stressed over a relationship, money, or living situation can create physical health issues. The inverse is also true. Health problems, whether you're dealing with high blood pressure or diabetes , will also affect your stress level and mental health. When your brain experiences high degrees of stress , your body reacts accordingly.

Serious acute stress, like being involved in a natural disaster or getting into a verbal altercation, can trigger heart attacks, arrhythmias, and even sudden death. However, this happens mostly in individuals who already have heart disease.

Stress also takes an emotional toll. While some stress may produce feelings of mild anxiety or frustration, prolonged stress can also lead to burnout , anxiety disorders , and depression.

Chronic stress can have a serious impact on your health as well. If you experience chronic stress, your autonomic nervous system will be overactive, which is likely to damage your body.

Stress-Influenced Conditions

• Heart disease
• Hyperthyroidism
• Sexual dysfunction
• Tooth and gum disease

Treatments for Stress

Stress is not a distinct medical diagnosis and there is no single, specific treatment for it. Treatment for stress focuses on changing the situation, developing stress coping skills , implementing relaxation techniques, and treating symptoms or conditions that may have been caused by chronic stress.

Some interventions that may be helpful include therapy, medication, and complementary and alternative medicine (CAM).

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Hosted by therapist Amy Morin, LCSW, this episode of The Verywell Mind Podcast featuring professor Elissa Epel, shares ways to manage stress. Click below to listen now.

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Psychotherapy

Some forms of therapy that may be particularly helpful in addressing symptoms of stress including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) . CBT focuses on helping people identify and change negative thinking patterns, while MBSR utilizes meditation and mindfulness to help reduce stress levels.

Medication may sometimes be prescribed to address some specific symptoms that are related to stress. Such medications may include sleep aids, antacids, antidepressants, and anti-anxiety medications.

Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Some complementary approaches that may also be helpful for reducing stress include acupuncture, aromatherapy, massage, yoga, and meditation .

Coping With Stress

Although stress is inevitable, it can be manageable. When you understand the toll it takes on you and the steps to combat stress, you can take charge of your health and reduce the impact stress has on your life.

• Learn to recognize the signs of burnout. High levels of stress may place you at a high risk of burnout. Burnout can leave you feeling exhausted and apathetic about your job.   When you start to feel symptoms of emotional exhaustion, it's a sign that you need to find a way to get a handle on your stress.
• Try to get regular exercise. Physical activity has a big impact on your brain and your body . Whether you enjoy Tai Chi or you want to begin jogging, exercise reduces stress and improves many symptoms associated with mental illness.  
• Take care of yourself. Incorporating regular self-care activities into your daily life is essential to stress management. Learn how to take care of your mind, body, and spirit and discover how to equip yourself to live your best life.  
• Practice mindfulness in your life. Mindfulness isn't just something you practice for 10 minutes each day. It can also be a way of life. Discover how to live more mindfully throughout your day so you can become more awake and conscious throughout your life.  

If you or a loved one are struggling with stress, contact the  Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline  at 1-800-662-4357 for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.

For more mental health resources, see our  National Helpline Database .

Cleveland Clinic. Stress .

National institute of Mental Health. I'm so stressed out! Fact sheet .

Goldstein DS. Adrenal responses to stress .  Cell Mol Neurobiol . 2010;30(8):1433–1440. doi:10.1007/s10571-010-9606-9

Stahl JE, Dossett ML, LaJoie AS, et al. Relaxation response and resiliency training and its effect on healthcare resource utilization [published correction appears in PLoS One . 2017 Feb 21;12 (2):e0172874].  PLoS One . 2015;10(10):e0140212. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0140212

American Heart Association. Stress and Heart Health.

Chi JS, Kloner RA. Stress and myocardial infarction .  Heart . 2003;89(5):475–476. doi:10.1136/heart.89.5.475

Salvagioni DAJ, Melanda FN, Mesas AE, González AD, Gabani FL, Andrade SM. Physical, psychological and occupational consequences of job burnout: A systematic review of prospective studies .  PLoS One . 2017;12(10):e0185781. Published 2017 Oct 4. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0185781

Bitonte RA, DeSanto DJ 2nd. Mandatory physical exercise for the prevention of mental illness in medical students .  Ment Illn . 2014;6(2):5549. doi:10.4081/mi.2014.5549

Ayala EE, Winseman JS, Johnsen RD, Mason HRC. U.S. medical students who engage in self-care report less stress and higher quality of life .  BMC Med Educ . 2018;18(1):189. doi:10.1186/s12909-018-1296-x

Richards KC, Campenni CE, Muse-Burke JL. Self-care and well-being in mental health professionals: The mediating effects of self-awareness and mindfulness .  J Ment Health Couns . 2010;32(3):247. doi:10.17744/mehc.32.3.0n31v88304423806.

American Psychological Association. 2015 Stress in America .

Krantz DS, Whittaker KS, Sheps DS.  Psychosocial risk factors for coronary heart disease: Pathophysiologic mechanisms .  In R. Allan & J. Fisher,  Heart and mind: The practice of cardiac psychology. American Psychological Association; 2011:91-113. doi:10.1037/13086-004

By Elizabeth Scott, PhD Elizabeth Scott, PhD is an author, workshop leader, educator, and award-winning blogger on stress management, positive psychology, relationships, and emotional wellbeing.

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Focus: The Science of Stress

Introduction: the science of stress.

The term stress was widely popularized in its biological connotation in 1936 by Hans Selye, who defined it as “the non-specific response of the body to any demand for change” [ 1 ]. Stress was originally understood to be a collection of peripheral symptoms that accompany a variety of chronic illnesses affecting different parts of the body. However, since its conception, the term has taken on a broader meaning and encompasses the body’s response to any mental, emotional, or physical disturbance. It is now well accepted that stress is both a symptom and a major risk factor for anxiety, migraines, substance abuse, obesity, and heart disease [ 2 ]. In 2007, the American Psychological Association launched a Stress in America™ survey to document national levels of stress, assess mental and physical impacts, and correlate stress intensity to external factors, including the political climate and the state of the economy. The outcomes of subsequent surveys have established stress as a major contributor to the national mental health crisis that disproportionately impacts different groups across the country [ 3 ].

In a perspectives piece on the neuroscience of stress, Simisola Johnson discusses the evolution of the stress response and the role of the nervous system in eliciting neuroendocrine and behavioral responses that promote survival. However, as opposed to acute stress that can have beneficial effects, chronic stress can lead to severe impairments in circuits that regulate neuroendocrine signaling. For example, in addition to the direct biological consequences of SARS-CoV2 infection on the brain, chronic stress associated with the COVID-19 pandemic impacts similar neuronal signaling pathways in the CNS and PNS that hamper normal physiological function. In addition to impacting the brain, chronic stress also alters metabolism at the cellular level. Using a house sparrow model system, Beattie et al. combined chronic psychological stress and daily food restriction to test whether chronic stress decreases the animals’ ability to cope with acute stressors. The study measures a variety of parameters including levels of metabolites, total activity, and markers of the neuroendocrine stress response to assess overall stress responses. Both of these papers highlight the importance of studying the compounding effects of stress that are increasingly prevalent in a post-pandemic era.

Stress experienced by mothers during pregnancy can have deleterious effects on both the infant’s neuropsychiatric and behavioral health. Various studies have found associations between maternal prenatal distress and child developmental outcomes. Children exposed to prenatal stress are at increased risk for displaying disruptive behavioral problems, possessing lower motor function, and even developing neuropsychiatric illnesses at later stages. However, in a self-reported study examining the initiation and course of breastfeeding and room-sharing, Simons et al. found that there was no link between the quality of maternal caregiving and maternal prenatal distress. Although they found that levels of prenatal evening cortisol (a physiological marker of stress) at the end of pregnancy are positively correlated with their study parameters, a lack of homology with other stress markers urges future studies to examine alternative mechanisms. Davis et al. examine how increased reactive oxygen species in the embryonic brain generated due to prenatal stress affect the morphology and activity of neuronal cells during development and in mature brains. The authors found that treatment with antioxidant agents reversed the observed effects on neuronal cells but did not prevent behavioral impacts. The results of these studies emphasize a need to study intergenerational transmission of stress and its long-term effects.

The World Health Organization estimates that approximately 3.6% of the world’s population has experienced post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) [ 4 ]. Risk factors for developing PTSD include exposure to a traumatic life event, lack of social support, and a genetic predisposition. Liu et al. examined the relationship between personality type, social support, and prevalence of PTSD among Shidu Parents in China. They determined that those with social support and extroverted personalities were least likely to develop PTSD after losing a child. Nagy Youssef provides a perspectives piece on studying the transgenerational epigenetic inheritance of trauma. Conducting more studies on the inheritance of DNA methylation across generations can provide new insights into the impact of trauma and resilience across communities.

In this issue, the biological and social dynamics of stress are examined. Original research, reviews, and perspectives are presented on how stress affects development, metabolism, and various cellular and organ level processes of physiology. We hope this issue contributes to an emerging field and highlights the importance of an interdisciplinary approach to understanding the wide implications of stress.

• Selye H. The Stress of Life . New York: McGraw-Hill; 1956. [ Google Scholar ]
• What is stress? The American Institute of Stress . 2017. Retrieved March 22, 2022. Available from: https://www.stress.org/what-is-stress
• American Psychological Association . 2020. Stress in America™ 2020: A National Mental Health Crisis. American Psychological Association . Retrieved March 22, 2022. Available from: https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/stress/2020/report-october
• World Health Organization . 2013. Who releases guidance on mental health care after trauma. World Health Organization . Retrieved March 23, 2022. Available from: https://www.who.int/news/item/06-08-2013-who-releases-guidance-on-mental-health-care-after-trauma#:~:text=Traumatic%20events%20and%20loss%20a%20common%20experience&text=An%20estimated%203.6%25%20of%20the,previous%20year%2C%20the%20study%20showed

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What Is Stress and How Can I Recognize It?

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Stress is your body's natural response to physical and psychological challenges or threats. During moments of stress, the body releases two hormones called epinephrine (adrenaline) and cortisol that trigger a chain of events to help you better cope with stressful situations.

Stress can be a positive thing, helping you overcome obstacles and push yourself to new levels of personal growth.

But when stress is persistent, it can be damaging to your health, reducing your immune response, increasing your risk of certain infections, raising your blood pressure and risk of heart disease, and sapping your concentration, energy levels, and overall sense of well-being.

The article describes the different types of stress and how they impact you physically and emotionally. It also looks at some of the complications of stress and ways to reduce stress if it is affecting your health and quality of life.

Illustration by Laura Porter for Verywell Health

Types of Stress

Stress can be short-lasting, long-lasting, or come and go. While stress is often considered "bad" and something you need to manage, it can be beneficial in certain situations.

Stress can be broadly described as:

• Acute stress : This is stress that comes on abruptly and resolves once the perceived or actual threat is resolved. Acute stress can occur when faced with a traumatic situation but can also be something that gradually builds over time and suddenly comes to a head.
• Chronic stress : This is stress that is persistent or recurrent. It can be triggered by ongoing emotional distress or an illness or medical condition that you are managing. If left unchecked, chronic stress can have serious health consequences.
• Episodic acute stress : This is when someone experiences intense stress on a routine basis. It is common in people who face high-stress situations, such as law enforcement officers, firefighters, and soldiers on wartime duty.
• Eustress : This is the term for beneficial stress. Eustress is associated with excitement or motivation, such as riding a rollercoaster or starting a new job. Once the immediate stress eases, there is often a feeling of accomplishment.

Signs of Stress

Stress is regulated by the autonomic nervous system . This is a part of the nervous system that oversees involuntary functions like heart rate, respiration, blood pressure, and digestion. During moments of extreme stress, it also triggers the "fight-or-flight" response.

The fight-or-flight response is characterized by the spontaneous release of epinephrine and cortisol. These hormones trigger physiological and psychological changes to prepare you to either face or flee from the threat, whether real or perceived.

It does so by temporarily redirecting the body's resources—like blood, oxygen, and glucose (blood sugar)—away from non-essential organs (like the stomach, intestines, and bladder) to essential ones (like the muscles and eyes). These changes are responsible for the functional signs of stress.

Common signs of stress include:

• Rapid heartbeat
• Rapid breathing
• Muscle tension
• Flush or pale skin
• Dilated pupils
• Agitation or feeling on edge
• Trembling or shaking
• Sudden sweating (including sweaty palms)
• Queasy stomach
• Weak bladder or a sudden urge to pee

Once the threat is gone, the body will release other hormones, such as oxytocin , to bring epinephrine and cortisol back in check.

Symptoms of Too Much Stress

If stress is chronic, it can lead to a broader range of potentially disruptive symptoms. This is because the overload of cortisol and epinephrine can not only amplify the physiological symptoms of stress but also start to affect the brain, triggering psychological symptoms.

Symptoms of chronic stress may include:

• A pounding headache
• Heart palpitations
• Chest pains
• Muscle spasms and cramps
• Back and shoulder pain
• Nausea and vomiting
• Shortness of breath
• Forgetfulness
• Loss of concentration
• Daytime sleepiness
• Disorganized or racing thoughts
• Emotional outbursts
• Panicky feelings
• Ringing in the ears
• Numbness in the fingers and toes
• Changes in appetite (eating too much or not at all)
• Depression and anxiety

Many of these symptoms can also occur when acute stress is severe, such as during a panic attack . Sometimes, the symptoms come on so quickly and profoundly that it may seem like you're having a heart attack .

It is also possible to get a "stress rash" when the body is spontaneously flooded with cortisol and epinephrine. This can trigger an inflammatory reaction and the release of a chemical called histamine that instigates allergic reactions, In some people with extreme stress, this can lead to itching and hives ( urticaria ).

Causes of Stress

The body's stress response system is called the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA axis) . When faced with a stressor (a situation that causes stress), a part of the brain called the  hypothalamus sends a chemical message to the pituitary gland which, in turn, instructs the  adrenal glands to start secreting cortisol and epinephrine.

There are two broad categories of stressors: physiological stressors and psychological stressors.

Physiological and psychological stressors can also overlap. For instance, a physiological stressor such as a chronic illness can cause psychological stress, further amplifying symptoms.

Examples of stressors include;

Extreme temperatures

Strenuous physical activity

Injury or pain

Chronic illness

Acute infections

Being overworked

A noisy or chaotic environment

Relationship problems

Financial problems

Trouble at work or school

Loss and grief

Worry about the future

Heavy traffic

We are all wired to feel stress, but certain factors can predispose you to unhealthy levels of stress, including:

• Being over 50
• Being a caregiver to an ill family member
• Living with depression
• Being raised in a stressful family environment
• Being a victim of crime or abuse
• Living in a high-crime neighborhood
• Living with chronic illness
• Living in poverty
• Having financial problems
• Being socially isolated
• Have an alcohol or substance abuse problem

Related Conditions and Complications

The long-term effects of uncontrolled stress can take a toll on your health. Chronic stress is characterized by sustained high blood pressure , which not only affects your heart but all other organs connected to the circulatory system.

Chronic stress can also affect your sense of well-being, which also has health consequences.

Over time, uncontrolled stress can contribute to:

• Atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries)
• Coronary artery disease (which increases the risk of heart attack or stroke)
• Type 2 diabetes
• Stomach ulcers
• Major depression
• Anxiety disorders

Is Stress a Mental Illness?

Stress is not a mental illness, but it can contribute to mental illness. Persistently high levels of cortisone—referred to as hyperadrenocorticism —have been independently linked to an increased risk of anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder , and major depressive disorder (MDD) .

Treatments and Ways to Cope With Stress

Managing stress is key to avoiding long-term health problems. Depending on your levels of stress and general coping skills, you may be able to manage on your own. In other instances, you may benefit from working with a healthcare provider or mental health specialist.

You can’t always avoid stress, but you can manage it by making healthy lifestyle choices, including:

• Exercising regularly : Exercise not only makes you feel better but also boosts "feel-good" hormones called endorphins . Just 30 minutes of walking per day can lift your spirits and improve your cardiovascular health.
• Setting goals : Establish what you intend to achieve for your day, week, and month. Setting priorities will help you feel more in control.
• Being practical : Be realistic about what you can achieve. While stress can be beneficial within limits, overtaxing yourself can undermine your health. Focus on what is truly important to you and adjust your goals to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
• Staying positive : At the end of a stressful day, don't just drop into bed and try to forget about it. Take a moment to think about what you’ve accomplished and not what you didn’t get done.
• Staying connected : Keep in touch with people who can provide emotional support and practical help. Ask for help from friends, family, and community or religious organizations if you are feeling overtaxed and stressed.

Mind-Body Therapies

There are many stress management tools you can turn to if you live a hectic lifestyle. Many of these approaches are endorsed by healthcare providers who understand how the mind influences the body and your overall health.

Some effective mind-body therapies for stress include:

• Deep breathing exercises
• Guided imagery
• Progressive muscle relaxation (PMR)
• Biofeedback

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy (talk therapy) involves working with a therapist who can help you identify your sources of stress so you can better manage them. Although therapy is typically done in person, you can also have online sessions with a therapist who can see you regularly.

Different approaches may help depending on the source of your stress:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) : This involves identifying problematic behaviors or thought patterns so you can build strategies to change them.
• Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) : This is a form of therapy intended for people who experience emotions very intensely.
• Family therapy
• Couples therapy

Prescription Medications

Sometimes medications are needed to help you through a stressful time. In such cases, you would need to get a prescription from your healthcare provider or a psychiatrist (rather than a therapist who cannot prescribe medications).

Some medications commonly prescribed for stress and anxiety include:

• Benzodiazepines : These are sedatives that include Valium (diazepam), Xanax (alprazolam), Klonopin (clonazepam), and Ativan (lorazepam).
• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) : These are antidepressants that include Paxil (paroxetine), Prozac (fluoxetine), Zoloft (sertraline), and Lexapro (escitalopram).
• Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) : These are antidepressants that include Effexor (venlafaxine), Cymbalta (duloxetine), and Pristiq (desvenlafaxine).
• Tricyclic antidepressants : These are a class of antidepressants that include Elavil (amitriptyline), Norpramin (desipramine), and Sinequan (doxepin).

When to Contact a Healthcare Provider

It can be easy to miss the signs of stress, particularly if you live a hectic lifestyle or are managing a heavy workload at work. Even so, it's important to notice the signs and take appropriate action if stress is interfering with your relationships, health, quality of life, and ability to function normally.

It may be time to see if a therapist or healthcare provider if:

• You find yourself having regular outbursts for little or no reason.
• You have trouble sleeping and are sleep-deprived .
• You have gained a lot of weight because you are stress eating.
• You have lost a lot of weight because you are too stressed to eat .
• You are drinking, smoking, or taking drugs to deal with stress.
• You find it hard to get out of bed and feel persistently on the verge of tears.
• You have panic attacks .

Stress is a natural response to physiological or psychological threats or challenges. Stress can be beneficial, helping push you to achieve more, but it can affect your health if it is extreme or chronic. Left untreated, chronic stress can contribute to heart disease, mood disorders, stomach ulcers, and diabetes.

The best way to manage stress is to live a healthy, balanced lifestyle and practice relaxation techniques like yoga, meditation, or deep breathing exercises. Psychotherapy and prescription medications (like antidepressants) can help if self-help treatments are not enough.

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By Michelle Pugle Pulge is a freelance health writer focused on mental health content. She is certified in mental health first aid.

Home — Essay Samples — Nursing & Health — Stress — Stress: Definition, Types And Impact

Stress: Definition, Types and Impact

• Categories: Stress

About this sample

Words: 821 |

Published: May 7, 2019

Words: 821 | Pages: 2 | 5 min read

Table of contents

What is stress, major types of stress, stress & its impact on men and women, acute stress, chronic stress, impact of stress on women.

• Reduced Sex Drive
• Irregular Periods
• Weight Gain
• Risk of Heart Diseases and Strokes.

Impact of Stress on Men

• Early Heart Disease Risk
• Erectile Dysfunction
• Lower Sperm Count
• Social Withdrawal
• High Blood Pressure.

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Stress and Its Effects on Health Essay

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Introduction

Physical effects, psychological effects, behavioral effects.

Stress is the emotional strain or tension experienced by an individual due to a reaction toward various demanding and influential situations. The challenging or compelling situations are termed stressors. Stressors can be internal or external and include life changes such as losing a significant figure, low socioeconomic status, relationship problems, occupational challenges, and familial or environmental factors. An individual’s response to stressors influences the outcome of their life. Health is a state of complete social, emotional, and physical well-being and not merely the absence of disease. Stress is a common risk factor for negative health status secondary to negative adaptation and coping with the stressors. Stressors can create a strain on one’s physical, psychological and behavioral well-being, leading to lasting effects that are detrimental to one’s health.

Stress is associated with various physical health impacts on an individual. In an online cross-sectional survey by Keech et al. (2020) to determine the association between stress and the physical and psychological health of police officers, the findings illustrate that stress negatively impacts physical and psychological well-being. One hundred and thirty-four police officers were involved in the study (Keech et al., 2020). The findings demonstrate that stress resulted in various short and long-term physical effects that included increased heart rates, sweating, high blood pressure, and long-term development of the cardiac condition. In addition, stress resulted in the development of gastrointestinal disorders such as peptic ulcer and irritable bowel syndrome. Keech et al. (2020) note that stress’s associated physical health effects are explained by various mechanisms that include overstimulation of the sympathetic nervous system and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical axis.

Overstimulation of the sympathetic nervous system results in increased sympathetic actions on the peripheral body organs leading to increased sweat production, heart rate, respiration rate, and urinary and bowel elimination. The study notes that chronic stress without positive adaptation measures results in the progressive development of hypertension, peptic ulcers, and irritable bowel syndrome as long-term effects (Keech et al., 2020). Within the gastrointestinal tract, chronic stress activity on the sympathetic nervous system results in increased parietal cell action. Overactivity of the parietal cells results in excessive gastric acid production, gradually eroding the mucosa, and ulceration occurs.

The effects of stress on the cardiovascular system are explained in a review by Kivimäki & Steptoe (2017) to determine the impact of stress on the development and progression of cardiovascular diseases. In the review, stress is identified to cause cardiovascular conditions secondary to the effects of sustained sympathetic action on heart contractility and peripheral vascular resistance (Kivimäki & Steptoe, 2017). The sympathetic nervous system contributes to normal heart and blood vessel contractility. However, when the system is overstimulated, a surge in contractility above the normal limits ensues, leading to the progressive development of heart conditions.

Psychological well-being incorporates a positive mental health status evidenced by an individual’s satisfaction with life, happiness, rational thinking and decision-making, and positive mood patterns. Stress has been associated with alterations in an individual’s psychological wellness. An explanation for alteration in an individual’s psychological well-being secondary to stress is negative adaptation. Keech et al. (2020) note that an individual’s response to a stressor determines whether stress results in positive or negative effects. In the online cross-sectional survey by Keech et al. (2020), the findings illustrate that pressure resulted in the development of anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorders as long-term effects among the participants. Exposure to stressful situations resulted in progressively developing anxiety among the individual secondary to persistent worry over the issue. The anxiety results in other physical manifestations, including increased heart rate, palpitations, sweating, and altered mobility. Depression and bipolar conditions were also associated with chronic stress secondary to the impacts of stress on neurotransmitter function and nerves.

Similar findings are noted in a cross-sectional study by Zhang et al. (2020) to compare the prevalence and severity of stress-associated mental health symptoms, including anxiety, depression, and insomnia among healthcare workers during the COVID pandemic. Five hundred and twenty-four healthcare workers were involved in the study. The study findings illustrate that 31.3% of the participants developed depression secondary to the stressful working environment, 41.2% reported anxiety, and 39.3% reported sleep disturbances (Zhang et al., 2020). The scientific explanation for the relationship between stress and depression was attributed to the effects of stressful periods on neurotransmitter homeostasis. Chronic stress results in the altered regulation of neurotransmitters in the central nervous system. Alterations in serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine resulted in the progressive development of depression and anxiety. Sleep disturbances reported by the participants are attributed to alterations in cortisol hormone homeostasis secondary to overstimulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical axis.

Stressful situations can also lead to alterations in the behavioral patterns of an individual. The most common behavioral effects secondary to stress include the development of eating disorders, altered sleeping patterns, impaired concentration, and drug abuse especially alcohol. Alterations in sleep and eating patterns are linked to stress’s effects on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical axis (HPA). Exposure to stressful events leads to increased activation of the HPA axis with a net effect of increased catecholamine production (adrenaline and noradrenaline) (Moustafa et al., 2018). Increased adrenaline and noradrenaline production results in dysregulation in the eating and sleeping patterns. Sustained high levels of cortisol results in difficulty falling asleep and increased metabolic processes. The biological clock regulates the typical sleeping pattern that relies on producing the sleep hormone melatonin. Melatonin production by the pineal gland is regulated indirectly by the concentration of serum cortisol levels and directly by light perception. Imbalances in the serum concentration cycle secondary to stress results in imbalanced melatonin production and concentration with a net effect of sleeping difficulties.

The emotional strain caused by stress increases the risk of alcohol and other illicit drug use and dependence. Moustafa et al. (2018) conducted an integrative literature review to determine the relationship between childhood trauma, early-life stress, alcohol and drug use, addiction, and abuse. The review findings illustrate that stress increases the risk of alcohol and drug use, addiction, and abuse among the victims. An explanation for the increased risk is the individuals’ lack of identification and implementation of effective coping strategies (Moustafa et al., 2018). Lack of effective coping strategies results in maladaptive measures such as illicit drug use and alcohol consumption. Extensive use of the maladaptive measures results in progressive addiction and drug abuse among individuals with an increased predisposition to other health effects. Alcohol consumption and other illicit drug use over time increase the risk of developing cardiac, respiratory, and liver conditions.

Stress is the emotional strain or tension experienced by an individual due to a reaction toward various demanding and influential situations. Individual response to stressors influences their health. Maladaptive response to stress results in various physical, psychological, and behavioral negative effects. Negative effects of stress on physical health include increased heart rates, sweating, high blood pressure, and long-term development of the cardiac condition. Psychological effects include the development of anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorders. The behavioral effects of stress on an individual include the development of eating disorders, altered sleeping patterns, impaired concentration, and abuse of alcohol and other drugs. Based on the research findings, it is essential for healthcare providers to identify strategic measures and health initiatives to educate and sensitize the community members on effective stress management approaches in all settings to aid in combating the health effects.

Keech, J. J., Cole, K. L., Hagger, M. S., & Hamilton, K. (2020). The association between stress mindset and physical and psychological well being: Testing a stress beliefs model in police officers . Psychology & Health , 35 (11), 1306-1325. Web.

Kivimäki, M., & Steptoe, A. (2017). Effects of stress on the development and progression of cardiovascular disease . Nature Reviews Cardiology , 15 (4), 215–229. Web.

Moustafa, A. A., Parkes, D., Fitzgerald, L., Underhill, D., Garami, J., Levy-Gigi, E., Stramecki, F., Valikhani, A., Frydecka, D., & Misiak, B. (2018). The relationship between childhood trauma, early-life stress, and alcohol and drug use, abuse, and addiction: An integrative review . Current Psychology , 40 (2), 579–584. Web.

Zhang, X., Zhao, K., Zhang, G., Feng, R., Chen, J., Xu, D., Liu, X., Ngoubene-Italy, A. J., Huang, H., Liu, Y., Chen, L., & Wang, W. (2020). Occupational Stress and Mental Health: A comparison between frontline medical staff and non-frontline medical staff during the 2019 novel Coronavirus Disease outbreak . Frontiers in Psychiatry , 11 . Web.

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IvyPanda. (2023, December 19). Stress and Its Effects on Health. https://ivypanda.com/essays/stress-and-its-effects-on-health/

"Stress and Its Effects on Health." IvyPanda , 19 Dec. 2023, ivypanda.com/essays/stress-and-its-effects-on-health/.

IvyPanda . (2023) 'Stress and Its Effects on Health'. 19 December.

IvyPanda . 2023. "Stress and Its Effects on Health." December 19, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/stress-and-its-effects-on-health/.

1. IvyPanda . "Stress and Its Effects on Health." December 19, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/stress-and-its-effects-on-health/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "Stress and Its Effects on Health." December 19, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/stress-and-its-effects-on-health/.