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Stress is our
body's reaction to the environment
around us. This reaction is
often caused by particular events
that may be construed as challenging. Physical, mental, and
emotional challenges can cause
stress. Specific causes of
stress are called stressors, and
vary from person to person.
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Our body reacts to a
challenge by secreting hormones that
cause a "fight or flight response". The main hormones are adrenalin and cortisol. They are secreted by the
adrenal glands in response to a
signal sent from the hypothalamus in
the brain. These integral hormones enable
humans to act under pressure and
to confront a particular challenge. These are
the same hormones that enable a
zebra to run from a lion, or enable
a mother
hen to fight for her chicks - hence
the term, "fight or flight".
Adrenalin is the
short term or acute hormone secreted
in response to stress. It is the
same hormone that causes the
"adrenalin rush" feeling we get when
excited or nervous. Cortisol is more
of a long term, or chronic hormone
secreted when stressors cause a
given reaction for an extended period of
time. Long-term secretion of cortisol
is associated with depleted energy,
decreased effectiveness of the immune
system, difficulty concentrating,
and even weight gain.
Every person is
affected by stress in
some way, and certain individuals
are better at coping with stress.
It is important, however, that every
person find their own personal
mechanisms to deal with the daily stressors in
their own lives, insuring that stress does
not overcome them. Persons at every
age are affected by stress and is most common for individuals
between the ages of 20 and 50.
Stress does not discriminate based
on gender, nor race. Both women and men experience stress, though the types
of challenges that cause stress
are different between the sexes.
In acute situations
stress may result in an
increase in heart and breathing
rate, and result in a noticeable
increase in blood pressure. Other symptoms
can include,
sweating, shaking, difficulty
talking or a shaky voice.
In chronic stress
situations, more serious symptoms
are likely to occur. Stress can affect many organ
systems. It can cause anxiety,
depression, and addictive behaviors.
Chronic stress may also be a key
contributor to headaches, upset stomach , heart palpitations, chest
pain, and skin problems. Stress can
also suppress the immune system and cause
an increase in the incidence of
infections.
The development of many other
diseases, such as eating disorders,
heart disease, stomach ulcers, have
all been linked to elevated stress
levels as well. [1]
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As many as 66% of
Americans say they are likely to
seek medical help for their
stress.
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45% of individuals
with a job say that job insecurity
increases their stress, while 61%
say heavy workloads increase
stress.
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52% of those who
work are more stressed because of
work issues than home issues.
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73% of Americans
say that money issues cause
increased stress in their lives.
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54% of Americans
are concerned about the level and
amount of stress in their lives. [2]
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