What is stress?
Physical stress is the activation of the stress response within our bodies. The stress response is an adaptive change in our body’s chemistry to cope with difficult and demanding situations. Most people know this as “fight or flight”. When this part of our nervous system is turned on, other systems in our body shut down. These include digestion, the ability to rest and immunity. In addition a potent, long lasting chemical is released that negatively affects blood pressure, water metabolism and the body’s ability to heal. In certain circumstances this emergency response is critical to our survival. Unfortunately for many people the stress response is turned on many times a day, everyday, which can become unhealthy.
Physical stress is caused by the inability to cope with the events that life throws at us. It is different for everyone because we all have our own tolerances. However, some common causes of stress include family, money and work. Anything encountered in daily living can be a source of stress depending on the individual. This is what makes stress so prevalent because it originates mentally and emotionally.
There is research that shows worry, a purely mental activity to start, can trigger the same stress response as if you were in real danger. For example, if you have stage fright your body responds the exact same way whether you just think about getting on stage or you really do it. Some people wake up anticipating everything they will have to do or encounter (kids, meals, dealines, relationships) before it even happens which causes very real stress within your body. These thoughts, feelings, emotions, fears and worries translate into harmful chemicals that can eventually cause disease. However, you can prevent this from happening.