Overview
Stress is a customary psychological and physical reaction to the demands of life. A small amount of stress can be good, motivating you to perform well. Your brain is wired for your protection. When your brain sees something stressful, it signals your body to release a burst of hormones that increase your heart rate and raise your blood pressure. This “fight-or-flight” response fuels you to deal with the stressful situation. Once the risk is gone, your body is meant to return to a normal, relaxed state. However, the nonstop complications of modern life lead to so much stress, that it becomes difficult for the body to control and return to the relaxed state.
Causes
The list of causes that lead to the development of a chronically stressed condition is endless. The most important stress inducing causes and evets are listed as follows:
- Job pressures
- Relationship troubles
- Financial crisis
- Daily hassles, such as completing an assignment on time, traffic, etc.
Symptoms
Stress can have extremely damaging effects on your physical, as well as mental health. Some of the signs and symptoms of excessive stress are:
- Weight gain
- Anxiety
- Inability to effectively perform easy tasks
Treatment
Stress relief is obtained by making some lifestyle changes and following up on them daily. The following things can help individuals cope with excess stress:
- Eating healthy
- Exercising
- Yoga/Meditation
- Taking support from friends and family
- Setting aside time to relax
