Stress is Not a Condition
When we speak of stress, we are often referring to the uncomfortable physical and mental signs we experience. A few physical signs of stress are headaches, muscle aches and pains, perspiration, cold hands, and muscle stiffness. Chronic levels of stress also affect our thinking. Some may have trouble remembering or recalling information. Others may have difficulty with mental calculations, like simple addition or subtraction.
Chronic stress also has a negative impact on the physical body. For example, high levels of stress strain the heart. It contributes to the development of high blood pressure and diabetes. Chronic health conditions as previously mentioned are affected negatively when stress remains high. Cancer and autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis are also negatively affected by high levels of chronic stress. Low stress levels facilitate control and maintenance of symptoms related to the conditions.
All Stress is Not Bad
Stress is a physical response to an unspecified stimulus. As such, the body goes through an instantaneous transformation when the stress response starts. The change is so immediate that we often fail to realize what causes the stress response initiates.
An unspecified stimulus is something that is undetermined and unlimited. Anything can trigger stress.
We have learned that stress is bad for us. The truth is that overwhelming stress is bad. We need stress to get up in the morning. Stress helps us to be productive. It also functions as a motivator encouraging us to act. All stress is not bad.
We experience the stress response when we are excited, thrilled, or happy. For example, honorees at surprise birthday parties feel their heart pound when the guests yell surprise. Roller coaster riders experience a rush of physical sensations due to the speed and curve of the ride. They start breathing faster and shallower. They may also have a brief headache caused by an increase in blood pressure. Their stomach may turn upside down causing a feeling of nausea.
Productivity requires a certain level of stress. While that level will vary from person to person, each of us needs it. Researchers have learned that a peak amount of stress is necessary to perform at an optimal level. It may feel like you are pushed to your limit, but the level of stress you experience causes you to be effective and efficient. You accomplish more without experiencing overstress or burnout.
3 Different Scenario Types that Start the Stress Response
#1
Stress initiates when we encounter unspecified stimuli. The stimuli could be real. It could also be imagined. A perceived threat also initiates the stress response. In other words, what you think is what you feel.
I will share an example of a real threat. You are taking the kitchen trash out to the bin outside. On your way to the trash bin, you see a rattlesnake. The rattlesnake is curled beneath your gas grill. You are afraid of snakes and the rattlesnake poses a grave danger.
Suddenly your heart starts beating faster and pounding in your chest. You freeze for a moment and feel the blood rush to your head causing your temples to pound. Your muscles tense and without thinking, you drop the trash bag and run into the house. When you arrive in the kitchen, you are totally out of breath and collapse on the floor. You have not run that fast since high school.
Once you collect yourself, you call your neighbor who knows how to handle snakes. She humanely removed the snake and relocated it to its natural habitat.
#2
You are about to take the kitchen trash out a few days later. The memory of seeing the rattlesnake beneath your grill is fresh in your mind. As you approach your door to go out, you begin to imagine the rattlesnake curled beneath the gas grill. Imagining the rattlesnake causes your heart to beat faster and harder. You start to shake as your muscles tense. Your stomach begins to feel queasy, and you think that you might have to vomit.
Your neighbor offered to walk with you to the trash bin, but you are too embarrassed to ask. You walk slowly looking around the ground for any sign of movement. As you approach the trash bin, you continue to look around the ground. Your heart is beating so hard, it feels like it is going to beat out of your chest. You can also hear the pounding on each side of your head.
When you get to the trash bin, you don’t see anything. There are no signs of animals or snakes. You dump the trash in the bin and run back into your home.
#3
The third scenario involves perception. You continue to think about the rattlesnake and wonder how it got there. Your neighbor works for the department of natural resources in your area. She is an expert in her field. You start to wonder if her opinion of you has changed because you were so afraid of the rattlesnake.
She said that you were right to be extra cautious because rattlesnakes can be dangerous if mishandled. Her statement did not change your perception of the situation. You felt weak and now believe that she thinks you are weak. Whenever you see her, your stomach gets queasy, and you feel sick. You begin to perspire and while your hands get cold.
One day she approached you. Once again, the stress response kicked in. Your neighbor shared the reason she learned how to handle poisonous snakes. Her brother lost part of his foot when he was a child due to a snake bite. For years, she blamed herself and decided to learn as much as possible, to prevent it from happening to someone else. She did not see you as weak after all.
Want more tips? Subscribe to the SMILES NEWSLETTER
Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn