What is Stress?
Definition of Stress:
Stress is not a disease or a diagnosis in itself.
It is generally defined as the perception of a threat to someone's physical or psychological well-being with the added perception that the individual's responses may be inadequate to cope with it. Our body's stress mechanisms have developed over millions of years to deal with relatively short periods of physical danger which most of us are unlikely to face now. In our modern times,the stress mechanism is much more likely to be activated by situations that cause us anxiety or discomfort than by true physical danger. These stressors are often chronic and psychological, in the form of job stress, relationship conflicts, or money problems." (Harvard Medical School CME)
Chronic stress often may be experienced as the symptoms of fatigue and low energy, but may also be associated with irritability, sleep disturbances, and feeling depressed or down. The physical symptoms of chronic stress can include headaches, gastrointestinal upset, and muscle tension, among others. The physiological effect on the body from chronic stress may in the long term, if not addressed, give rise to medical conditions including heart disease, heart attacks, strokes, high blood pressure, depression, and anxiety disorders. The good news is that there are many simple, inexpensive strategies available to choose from. When employed in a regular, consistent way, they significantly moderate the impact of both acute and chronic stressors. It's especially important when dealing with stress; to avoid using negative coping strategies such as drugs, alcohol, or 'stress overeating' that may improve mood in the short term but can have adverse consequences in the long term. Overall, a healthy lifestyle is essential in reducing the long-term effects of stress