The World Health Organization describes stress as a state of mind caused by some difficult or
different encounters. The definition of stress differs from person to person.
Hans Selye, a pioneer endocrinologist who is known as the “Father of stress” as he described
the effects of stress on the human body, has proposed the definition for stress: “Stress is the
nonspecific response of the body to any demand.”Stress: Definition and history
Stress can distort the ability to concentrate and focus, overwhelming with a number of emotions
of worry, anxiety and irritability.
Everyone in the world faces or experiences stress, they differ in their response towards it.
CHEMICAL OUTLOOK FOR STRESS
Digging deep it is observed that whenever the body is exposed to some stressful situation like
performing in public, facing a threat like a dog barking at you or any unusual situation then this
signal is received at the hypothalamus, part of the brain stem. Stress triggers hypothalamus that
prompts the adrenal gland to release adrenaline and cortisol.
Adrenaline causes increase the heart rate and blood pressure while cortisol also known as
stress hormone increases the availability of glucose in the bloodstream preparing the body for a
flight and flight response.
Cortisol increases the energy levels and prepares the body to deal with the threat.
Cortisol is associated with short term stressful situations.
SYMPTOMS OF STRESS
Stress makes it difficult for the body to relax. And sometimes in case of chronic stressful
situations where the stress continues for weeks and months it can exacerbate the ongoing
comorbidities.
Acute stress or short term stress can be characterized by changes in mood like irritability and
anxiousness. It can also cause headaches, body pain and changes or loss in appetite. Stress
Chronic or prolonged stress means that the body is exposed to high cortisol levels for a greater
time period that can affect the heart, elevate the blood pressure, induce insulin resistance,
weight problems and weaken immune function.
STRESS AFFECTS THE BODY
Long term exposure of stress can have serious effects on the body:
- Musculoskeletal system:
When the body is stressed, muscles tighten up. Stress affects the lower back and upper
extremities of the body. When muscles are tensed for a longer period of time then it may
lead to stress related disorder. - Respiratory system:
Under the influence of stress a person may experience respiratory symptoms like rapid
breathing or shortness of breath. A normal person can cope up this change though
additional efforts but a person who is primarily a patient of asthma or COPD then this
stressful encounter can exacerbate the existing condition so much that the person might
need immediate medical help. - Cardiovascular system:
Under acute stress the body feels an increase in the heart rate and stronger contractions
of the heart muscles in order to fulfill the demand of the body that gets increased under
the influence of the stressful situation.
And along with this the blood vessels supplying the blood to the heart are dilated as the
heart pumps faster so in order to meet the demand of the heart this happens. Hence all
this scenario results in increased blood pressure.
This constant increase in heart rate and elevated blood pressure can increase the risk of
hypertension, stroke or heart attack. - Endocrine system
Stress can activate the hypothalamus that signals the adrenal gland to release
adrenaline and cortisol. Adrenaline affects the vascular system while cortisol provides
energy to deal with the challenging situation. - Gastrointestinal system
There is a perfect gut-brain communication system in our body. Stress can disrupt this
communication leading to gut discomfort like bloating and pain. Stress can also alter the
gut bacteria.
Sometimes stress affects the appetite of the person making him eat too much or do not
eat at all. Similarly stress can affect the bowel movements sometimes leading to
diarrheal condition and sometimes constipation. - Nervous system:
Upon exposure to stress the sympathetic nervous system activates the flight and fight
response,shifting the reservoirs of the body towards the efforts to deal with the
challenge.
This includes slowing of the digestive system and increase in the blood supply towards
the muscles. This is in short term stressful situations and is overcome as soon as the
trigger disappears. And then the peripheral system activates then follows rest and
digestion.
COPING WITH STRESS
There are certain strategies to cope up with stress to minimize its effect on one’s daily life.
- Muscle relaxing techniques and other stress relieving techniques are found beneficial in
relieving the tension of the muscles. In case of chronic stress related disorders these
activities are found to elevate mood and daily functions. - Seeking medical help from experts and practicing relaxing and breathing techniques can
be helpful. - Prioritize self-care. Eat a balanced diet with sufficient nutrition, engage yourself in
regular physical activity. - Surround yourself with your loved ones.
- Stay positive and calm.
STRESS AND GEN Z :
In this era where everyone seems to see each other as their competitor has resulted in a vast
increase in the number of youngsters who are facing psychological disorders like stress related
disorders, anxiety or depression.
Entering the teenage sometimes becomes challenging as change is occurring inside and
outside the youngsters like developing secondary sex characters, hormonal changes alongside
academic progress and personal relations.
According to research conducted among students to find out the triggers for stress it is observed
that personal relations is the main cause. Other than this second biggest cause is the financial
or economic burden that today’s students are facing because of poor global economic
conditions and in the age of getting tension of good grades they are becoming conscious about
how they’ll be able to handle their education expenses while maintaining a certain class and
standard among their social circle. And then comes the financial and growth stress that is
nowadays faced by every young person because of saturation in the job market and silver era of
freelancing that has somehow managed to create a concept among youngsters that if you have
money then why need education.
