Recognizing Stress and Understanding How to Manage It Well
Understanding stress is crucial in today’s world, where its impacts are felt across all demographics and lifestyles. Stress is a natural physical and mental reaction to life experiences.
The human body is designed to experience stress and react to it. It can be positive, such as when it helps you avoid danger or meet a deadline. But when stress lasts for a long time, it may harm your health.
According to the World Health Organization, stress can be defined as a state of worry or mental tension caused by a difficult situation. Stress is a natural human response that prompts us to address challenges and threats in our lives. Everyone experiences stress to some degree. The way we respond to stress, however, makes a big difference to our overall well-being.
The Science of Stress
At its core, stress is a response to perceived threats or challenges, eliciting a “fight or flight” reaction from the autonomic nervous system. This reaction releases adrenaline and cortisol, increasing heart rate, blood pressure, and energy supplies.
While this response can be life-saving in immediate danger situations, persistent stress can keep these responses active and lead to long-term health issues.
