What is Stress? What are Different Stressors?

STRESS is our normal reaction to everyday pressures of life, but it can become unhealthy when it upsets your day-to-day functioning. Stress involves changes in the body affecting nearly every system of the body. As it causes mind-body changes, it can directly affect one's mental and physical health causing psychological and physiological disorders. STRESS reduces one's quality of life. However, not all stress is bad. There are different TYPES OF STRESS listed below so that one has an idea about the impact of various TYPES OF STRESS on the human body.  

There are 4 TYPES OF STRESS, they are: 

1) Eustress: This is a positive stress in response to a situation that has a beneficial effect on health and enhances one’s performance.

2) Distress: It is a negative type of stress that can be harmful to the body and mind and it can cause unpleasant feelings, anxiety, and underperformance. 

3) Acute stress: It is a short-term stress response that is caused due to major loss or trauma or some kind of social pressure.

4) Chronic stress: This kind of stress is the one that persists for a long period due to difficult life situations and it has a more harmful impact on the mind and the body.

CAUSES OF STRESS:

Stress is caused by different TYPES OF STRESSORS. 

STRESSORS are some external stimuli, which can be physical, social, financial, environmental, or psychological that cause a person to react and affect one's physical and mental well-being. Different TYPES OF STRESSORS can have a major impact on an individual's life and it can be the CAUSE OF STRESS for a person. 

Some of the common TYPES OF STRESSORS that one faces in everyday life are:

• Healthcare expenses
• Educational expenses
• Economic uncertainty
• Natural disasters
• Physical illness
• Family conflicts
• Life transitions
• Peer pressure
• Social expectations and roles
• Pay rates
• High workload 
• Job insecurity
• New job or career change
• Retirement plans
• Divorce or relationship issues 
• Loss of a loved one

The Causes of Stressors can be as trivial as meeting deadlines, being stuck in traffic, or suddenly slamming on the brakes to avoid an accident, and sometimes the CAUSES OF STRESS are internal, like false, unrealistic expectations, attitudes, and perceptions towards certain situations.

Thus CAUSES OF STRESS are endless, ranging from daily responsibilities to unexpected challenges, each demanding our attention. However, not all stress requires an aggressive or immediate reaction. It is important to assess which stressors truly need our intense response and which can be handled calmly. By carefully choosing our battles, we can avoid unnecessary emotional strain and focus on what truly matters. Ultimately, the key is learning to prioritize how we react to each stressor and maintaining our balance.

IMPACT OF STRESS ON THE HUMAN BODY:

Stress affects majorly all the systems of the body including the musculoskeletal, respiratory, cardiovascular, endocrine, gastrointestinal, nervous, and reproductive systems. Let us understand how stress and stressors have such a deep impact on our overall health.

When the body is stressed different types of muscles tense up and go into a spasm which is the body’s defense mechanism to any stressful situation. However, when there is chronic long-term stress it causes muscles to remain guarded and tensed for a long term causing certain Chronic Musculoskeletal disorders with persistent symptoms like lower and upper back pain. Chronic stress is also the cause of tension- headaches, and migraine. 

Respiratory system is also affected in response to various TYPES OF STRESSORS. It can cause shortness of breath and difficulty breathing. For example: sudden news of the loss of one’s loved one can trigger asthmatic attacks and cause rapid breathing.

Repeated stress can cause inflammation of The Circulatory system and high blood pressure. This can take a toll on one’s body and increase one’s chances of stroke and heart attack. 

When one is in a constantly challenging situation Brain initiates a cascade of events and increases the production of steroid hormones called glucocorticoids which include CORTISOL- THE STRESS HORMONE. This can cause an increase in weight, particularly around the abdomen, memory loss, mood swings, decreased immunity, irregular menses, various skin conditions, and increased risk for major metabolic diseases. Thus high levels of cortisol in blood due to chronic stress can have a wide range of negative effects on the human body. 

The gut has millions of neurons that can function almost independently and are in communication with the brain thus the “butterflies” in the stomach. Different TYPES OF STRESS can affect this Brain-Gut communication and may trigger a variety of symptoms like pain, bloating, constipation, and other gut discomfort. It affects digestion and causes various gastric symptoms. 

Ongoing stress over a long time affects the Male Reproductive system resulting from low libido to infertility. Similarly, it also affects Female Reproductive organs causing irregular menses to infertility. Different TYPES OF STRESSORS like MENOPAUSE, PREGNANCY, and POSTPARTUM PHASE can cause depression and anxiety due to various stressful surroundings. 

Thus stress makes it hard for an individual to relax and can come with a range of emotions, including anxiety and irritability. When stressed it becomes difficult to concentrate. We may experience headaches and other body pains, a disturbed stomach, or troubled sleep. We may also find that we lose our appetite or tend to eat more than usual. Chronic stress may worsen pre-existing health problems and may increase our intake of alcohol, tobacco, and other substances that are hazardous to health. 

Coping up with STRESS

STRESS is inevitable but one must learn to cope with various TYPES OF STRESSORS and find balance in life. The WHO guided few stress management tips are mentioned below:

• Keep a daily routine:  Having a daily schedule for meals, time with family, recreational activities, and daily chores helps to manage one's time effectively and helps one feel more in control state of mind.
• Connect with others:  Connecting with friends and family helps to elevate your mood and reduces stress.
• Eat a healthy diet:  Have nutritious food like fruits and green leafy vegetables. Avoid large meals, caffeine, and alcohol before bedtime.
• Exercise regularly:  Chemicals that are released by the body during exercise help to relieve stress by improving mood and acting as natural painkillers. A regular walk can do magic to your health. Spend time in an environment that uplifts you emotionally and spiritually.
• Sleep on time:  Sleep helps in repair. It relaxes and rejuvenates our body and can help reverse the effects of stress.
• Yoga and meditation: Techniques such as deep breathing, and yoga asanas help to cope with various TYPES OF STRESS in daily life.
• Realistic Goals and Expectations:  One should not set unachievable goals and burden oneself. Learning to SAY NO and setting boundaries are key to not allowing oneself to get hurt.
• Seek Professional Help:  When one feels overwhelmed in handling chronic stress and it takes a toll on one’s mental and physical health, seek help from a mental health professional. 

Each TYPE OF STRESSOR calls for a unique approach. It is crucial to recognize the nature of stressors and choose an effective way to deal with them. Not all triggers require the same level of attention and energy.  The ability to stay calm and composed during the phase of stress allows us to think clearly and make better choices. By understanding the specific demands of each situation and responding accordingly, we can manage stress more effectively. The key lies in recognizing when to act swiftly and when to take a step back and breathe.

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FAQS

1) How are Stressors different from stress?

A stressor is the trigger or the stimulus that initiates a response. Stress is our response to such stimuli or stressors.

2) What is the concept of stress?

Stress is our body’s natural human response to various challenging and demanding situations that one cannot accept easily.

3) What are the 4 categories of environmental stressors?

The four categories of environmental stressors are:  

1. Cataclysmic events
2. Stressful life events
3. Daily hassles
4. Ambient stressors

4) What is the most common stressor?

Work, money, and health are the most common stressors that top the lists statistically.

5) What is student stress?

Student stress refers to the emotional, physical, and behavioral challenges that a student experiences due to high academic and peer pressure.