Stress is an emotional reaction that indicates our inability to manage or control a situation. We feel overwhelmed or under tremendous pressure and are not sure about the future. Typical causes of stress include financial problems, work, relationships, and the organization of family life and resources. Stress affects our minds, but it also affects our bodies. That is why it is necessary to identify the physiological symptoms of stress. But before we do that, let’s take a look at the different types of stress.
types of stress
The first type of stress is acute stress, which is the healthiest response to any situation we encounter. For example, an upcoming deadline at work produces a feeling of intense tension that reminds us of work.
Episodic acute stress occurs when a person is repeatedly exposed to situations of acute stress. This pressure is typical of demanding professions such as health care workers. The effects of this repeated exposure clump together and gradually build up into psychological stress that can lead to fatigue or other psychological and physical complications.
Chronic stress occurs when stress never ends. It can happen when one is constantly exposed to threatening situations. For example, living in a neighborhood with high crime rates.
Physiological symptoms of different types of stress
Stress puts you in a fight or flight situation. Blood is directed away from your brain toward the muscles, and the senses are sharpened for anticipated threats. Your pupils dilate and your heart rate increases. You may breathe rapidly and heavily or start to sweat (cold sweats are sweating that occurs despite a cooler body temperature). Your sleep cycle is also affected which leads to further physical complications.
Episodic acute stress is associated with muscle tension, migraine headaches, and high blood pressure. Your body doesn’t get a chance to relax, and you always feel “anxious.” In this case, you may get muscle tension and migraine headaches.
Chronic stress can lead to weight gain when you start eating more to compensate. It can also lead to insomnia, panic attacks, and emotional fatigue (feeling tired most of the time).
Read more: Signs of fatigue
How to reduce stress
Now that we have gone through the physiological symptoms of stress, let’s take a look at how to de-stress or relieve our anxiety. Here are some steps you can take to reduce stress today.
First, you can do any exercise or physical activity. These practices include yoga, gymnastics, aerobic exercises, running, etc. You can also focus on improving sleep quality by setting up a sleep schedule to organize the same.
Or you can start journaling, which is a habit that involves more play than work and may be just what you need to reduce your stress in a day. This practice allows you to write about different things and explore your creative side. For those who like to express their artistic side, journaling can be an art therapy aid.
If your symptoms get out of control, intolerable, or make functioning normally difficult, you should choose a treatment plan with a licensed professional.
Read more: Exercises to reduce anxiety to help you calm down
conclusion
Stress is an emotional response to threatening or overwhelming circumstances. Physiological symptoms of stress include a fast heartbeat, high blood pressure, muscle tension, heavy breathing, and cold sweats. These signs can help you better identify stress in yourself and others, making it easier for you to take action when needed. To reduce stress, you can start taking time to self-care, build supportive relationships, exercise regularly, or most importantly, opt for therapy. Therapy can help you understand and deal with the huge problems in your life with ease. On that note, here is a list of Top Five Affordable Online Therapy Platforms for Quality Care.
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