It’s a well known fact by now that stress isn’t good for the body. While the argument can be made that some stress is healthy in motivating us and adding the needed pressure to get things done, there is no arguing the fact that acute and chronic stress has a negative impact on the body.
Stress is our body’s reaction to what is known as a stressor. A stressor can be a number of different things from the loss of a loved one or job, to a school term paper, exam, planning a vacation, or meeting your partner’s parents. Really a stressor is anything that poses a challenge in life. These can be people, places, or events. These stressors cause a mental and physical response that gives us a sort of alert that we’re under a fair deal of stress. The first response is called the “fight or flight” response. This actual response is regulated by the hypothalamus, but it is generated by the autonomic nervous system (Melucci, 2004). The fight or flight response prepares the body to either fight or resist, or to flee from the problem. The fight or flight response in itself initiates a number of different physiological responses. However, it is the actual event of long-term stress or high level stress that negatively impacts the body. Long-term and high level stress can affect performance on everyday tasks, as well as cause psychological burn-out. It also impacts the body negatively through physical damage or distress.
In the 1970s a man by the name of Hans Selye developed a model of the body’s stress reactions. He characterized stress reaction in three stages: the alarm stage, the resistance stage, and the exhaustion stage. The alarm stage is triggered by a threatening event or situation. This is essentially the initiation of the fight or flight response. It is a short term reaction; however, should the threat not end the reaction stage is entered.
The reaction stage is a “chronic, moderate state of activation” (Melucci, 2004). This stage is exhausting do the body and not meant to be kept up long-term. Should the threat continue the body enters the exhaustion stage in which the body’s resources are spent. The body is left susceptible to illness, fatigue, and injury due to this state of exhaustion.
Selye’s model gives us a good look at just how damaging stress is on the body and how serious avoiding constructive coping mechanisms can be. However, Selye’s theory that stress was a result of changes was challenged by Arnold and Clifford Lazarus. They argued that stress was subjective and that the levels of stress were influenced by the way in which people view their situation (Melucci, 2004). It seems both hold their truths, indeed people do deal with stress in different ways and this seems to affect the way in which the body is affected. However, just as Selye suggested, the body is adversely affected and drained as a result of unattended stress.
First we’ll discuss some physiological impacts of stress. One illness posed by stress is called “psychosomatic illness.” Psychosomatic illnesses are brought on by psychological or emotional distress (Melucci, 2004), but despite common misconception they are not fake or made up illnesses. Psychosomatic illnesses are actual physical illnesses such as ulcers caused by extreme emotional or psychological distress. Furthermore, psychosomatic illnesses that are ignored can lead to serious consequences of pre-existing conditions or lead to other serious conditions such as high blood pressure, stroke, and cardiovascular disease. Additionally, stress can lead to poor coping mechanisms such as alcohol or drug use, lack of care for oneself or one’s health, poor exercising routines, and poor nutrition (Melucci, 2004).
Aside from psychosomatic illnesses, the American Institute of Stress lists a staggering 50 symptoms of stress. Some of these include frequent headaches, teeth grinding, heartburn or other stomach problems, insomnia, nightmares, depression, mood swings, social withdrawal, irritability, diarrhea or constipation, frequent illness or infection, feelings of being overloaded and overwhelmed, and at worst suicidal thoughts (American Institute of Stress, N.d). In all, stress impacts the brain, digestive track, lungs, heart, mouth (dryness and ulcers), hair (hair loss), muscles (various pains, tics, and twitches), reproductive organs, and skin (American Institute of Stress, N.d). That’s a long list of problems caused by stress and mismanagement of it. It’s clear that effectively dealing with stress is an extremely important part of our lives since stress often times cannot be avoided.
Luckily, there are healthy ways of dealing with stress and we’re capable of learning them. Both the American Institute of Stress and Mental Health America state that learning to identify the problem and then take steps to confront it and manage it and behavior reactions is better than merely covering the problem. However, there are a number of constructive coping methods that are recommended to relieve of stress on a regular basis and prevent the harmful heath affects that go along with ignoring life stressors. Health professionals recommend taking some time out to exercise, relax, take part in a hobby, talking to friends or family, learning to see the problem in a new way (trying to find a positive side to the issue), and humor, among several others.
Melucci, N. (2004). Psychology. Barron’s Educational Series, Hauppauge, NY.
Mental Health America. (2007). Stress: Coping with Everyday Problems. Retrieved June 14, 2007, from Mental Health America Website: http://www.nmha.org/go/information/get-info/stress/stress-coping-with-everyday-problems
American Institute of Stress . (N.d). Effects of Stress. Retrieved June 14, 2007, from American Institute of Stress Website: http://www.stress.org/topic-reduction.htm
