Stress occurs when everything gets overloaded, when the body is finding it difficult to cope with the task or situation in hand. Stress is dependent upon how a person is emotionally affected by a situation rather than on the situation itself as others could find being in the same predicament to be motivating or pleasant, rather than stressful or upsetting.
Stress is a natural response and helps the body deal with the demand in question, allowing the body to become prepared for the task or situation ahead, this is called the flight or flight response. This response is a hard-wired reaction to perceived threats, allowing the body to become alert through chemical changes within the body.
Being in a stressful situation is not always bad as long as it is short term and has a conclusion that is either workable or reachable. Stress becomes bad when it becomes long term, or too debilitating to the situation or task.
The majority of people at some point in their lives will be affected by stress and this should not be perceived as a sign of weakness, but rather your bodies way of dealing with an exceptional or abnormal load.
Fight or flight
The fight or flight response is an automatic reaction to a perceived threat, it is a survival instinct that enables the person with the threat to either escape the situation or to fight their way through it. Once activated chemicals mainly adrenaline and cortisol are released into the bloodstream, this makes the body undergo massive changes.
Breathing becomes faster, the heart pumps faster, the blood is directed towards the muscles, pupils dilate, awareness intensifies, sight sharpens, impulses quicken, pain is reduced and anger can manifest.
All of these symptoms give extra energy to the places that need it for the ability to run or fight. After the threat has diminished the symptoms should subside and return back to normal. The problem occurs when this doesn't happen, the body remains in fight or flight mode this continued response can cause emotional, physical and behavioural problems.
Causes of stress
There are many causes of stress, some of these are extremely common among the majority of people and others that affect a small minority of people, the more common of these are:
Financial problems
Relationship problems
Work problems
Major life changes
Phobias
Deadlines
Socialising
Complaining
Speaking to large groups
Symptoms of stress
Symptoms of stress will generally build over time rather than come on suddenly, the affects of stress may affect your behaviour, emotional state and even physically. The more common affects of stress are:
Irritability
Racing thoughts
Poor concentration
Drinking or smoking more
Acting differently
Forgetful
Headaches
Restlessness
Sweating
Dizziness
These are not an exhaustive list as there are many more symptoms of stress, however these are the most common. Like any other health problems you have, you should contact a doctor to ensure your health is not affected.