Tension Prevention

Stress Management: Understanding and Overcoming Stress

Stress is an inevitable part of life. We all experience stress in various forms and degrees, from everyday work pressures and family responsibilities to significant life events. While a certain amount of stress can be motivating and even beneficial, chronic stress can have detrimental effects on both our physical and mental health. Understanding stress, its causes and effective management techniques is crucial for maintaining our overall well-being. In this article, we will go into the intricacies of stress and provide practical strategies for managing it effectively.

UNDERSTANDING STRESS

Stress is the body’s natural response to perceived threats or challenges that causes physical, emotional or psychological strain. It is our body’s response to anything that requires attention or action. When faced with a stressful situation, our body undergoes a series of physiological changes known as the “fight-or-flight” response. This response involves the release of hormones like adrenaline and cortisol, which prepare our body to either confront the threat or flee from it. While this response is essential for survival, chronic activation can lead to health problems.

There are different types of stress which we face, they include:

• Acute Stress: This is short-term stress that arises from specific events or situations. Acute stress happens to everyone. It is the body’s immediate reaction to a new and challenging situation.

Acute stress can be positive (eustress) or negative (distress). Eustress can be motivating as it is a reaction to something that you actually enjoy. It is the somewhatfrightening, yet thrilling feeling you get on a roller coaster ride or when you are skiing down a steep mountain slope. On the other hand, distress, such as that arising from an argument, can be overwhelming