Stress

We’re frequently exposed to stress during our lives, and it’s a normal situation that’s a result of facing the changing life circumstances. However, it could become a tiring condition when it starts to significantly interfere with our daily life.

Stress

Stress is the person’s reaction to a certain event, and it’s a normal state that helps the body accommodate with new situations that the person faces through life. Stress is positive when it motivates the person and increases their attention, yet it becomes a health condition when it continues for a long time and starts to negatively affect the person.

Stress can be divided into the following types:

• Acute stress: it’s short-term and comes when a situation occurs and goes when it ends. It might be positive or negative, and all people experience it.
• Episodic acute stress: it occurs when acute stress happens regularly.
• Chronic stress: stress here continues for a long time, which might be weeks or months.

Causes of stress

There are numerous causes for psychological pressure, and it occurs when facing a new situation or a change that might be positive or negative, such as:

• Facing a strong emotional trauma like death.
• Life circumstances like financial issues.
• Preparing for a test or job.

Symptoms of stress

When stress occurs, the body makes a reaction called the fight-or-flight response to face this stressful situation, and in the case of chronic stress, this reaction continues in the body, and that causes problems.

Physical symptoms

• Headache or dizziness.
• Shaking.
• Body aches.
• Chest pain and heart palpitations.
• Muscle tension.
• High blood pressure.
• Digestive problems.
• Fatigue and sleep problems.
• Weak immunity.
• Sexual problems.
• Skin rash that’s called stress rash.

Psychological and behavioral symptoms

• Depression and anxiety.
• Irritability.
• Panic attacks.
• Sadness.
• Eating disorders.
• Smoking, drinking alcohol, or using illegal drugs.

Complications of stress

Chronic stress leads to the following complications:

• Cardiovascular problems, like high blood pressure.
• Digestive problems, like colon spasm and ulcer.
• Immunity problems, like psoriasis and fibromyalgia.
• Reproductive problems, like PCOS and infertility.

Management of stress

Stress can be relieved by following some strategies, such as:

• Exercising regularly.
• Focusing on the achievements rather than undone tasks.
• Taking continuous breaks.
• Always connecting with people who make you feel relaxed.
• Sleeping enough.
• Seeing a psychologist when needed.