Effects of Stress:
Our stress response is a non-specific set of mental and physiological adjustments that our bodies make automatically to maintain stability or homeostasis in response to stressors. Stressors are
factors that threaten this equilibrium.
Our bodies are constantly adjusting to our surroundings, and the degree of actual or perceived
danger will affect the degree of our response.
When a physical or mental event threatens this equilibrium, we react to it. This process is referred
to as the "Fight or Flight Response." We prepare for physical action in order to confront or flee a threat, like a predator. Of course, the same response can be triggered to varying degrees by skipping a meal, narrowly avoiding an accident, or having an argument.
factors that threaten this equilibrium.
Our bodies are constantly adjusting to our surroundings, and the degree of actual or perceived
danger will affect the degree of our response.
When a physical or mental event threatens this equilibrium, we react to it. This process is referred
to as the "Fight or Flight Response." We prepare for physical action in order to confront or flee a threat, like a predator. Of course, the same response can be triggered to varying degrees by skipping a meal, narrowly avoiding an accident, or having an argument.
Tension is who you think you should be. Relaxation is who you are - Chinese Proverb
Our stress response is a non-specific set of mental and physiological adjustments that our bodies make automatically to maintain stability or homeostasis in response to stressors. Stressors are factors that threaten this equilibrium.
Our bodies are constantly adjusting to our surroundings, and the degree of actual or perceived danger will affect the degree of our response.
When a physical or mental event threatens this equilibrium, we react to it. This process is referred to as the "Fight or Flight Response." We prepare for physical action in order to confront or flee a threat, like a predator. Of course, the same response can be triggered to varying degrees by skipping a meal, narrowly avoiding an accident, or having an argument.
Our stress response is considered positive when it is a natural reaction to challenge or danger. However, when we feel out of
control or under intense pressure for extended periods, we may experience physical, emotional, and behavioral symptoms that are considered negative. It is this unmanaged stress that is directly related to nearly all disease.
The stress response is activated by our autonomic nervous system, which handles all unconscious activities in stress and
relaxation states.
Our bodies are constantly adjusting to our surroundings, and the degree of actual or perceived danger will affect the degree of our response.
When a physical or mental event threatens this equilibrium, we react to it. This process is referred to as the "Fight or Flight Response." We prepare for physical action in order to confront or flee a threat, like a predator. Of course, the same response can be triggered to varying degrees by skipping a meal, narrowly avoiding an accident, or having an argument.
Our stress response is considered positive when it is a natural reaction to challenge or danger. However, when we feel out of
control or under intense pressure for extended periods, we may experience physical, emotional, and behavioral symptoms that are considered negative. It is this unmanaged stress that is directly related to nearly all disease.
The stress response is activated by our autonomic nervous system, which handles all unconscious activities in stress and
relaxation states.
Stress is linked to the following leading causes of death; either as a cause, a risk factor or a complicating factor:
Cancer Heart Disease Strokes Lung Diseases Diabetes
Suicide KidneyDisease Influenza and Pneumonia Alzheimer's Disease
(Cause of Death Source: StatsCan)
Cancer Heart Disease Strokes Lung Diseases Diabetes
Suicide KidneyDisease Influenza and Pneumonia Alzheimer's Disease
(Cause of Death Source: StatsCan)
What Happens?
Typically, apart from mentally-generated stress, our sensory system is the first to sense a
threat or "stressful situation." The response is reflexive. The hypothalamus, which is a central neural processing area of the lower brain, perceives incoming information from the sensory system and immediately responds with a series of neurological and hormonal signals to the
brain and pituitary gland. These signals change our emotional and cognitive state and initiate
a cascade of hormonal changes that are responsible for the functional effects of stress.
Functional Effects Stress:
~~ Reduced circulation in cerebral cortex, which reduces thinking to "lower brain" survival instincts. This results in more
impulsive action, like"fight or flight."
~~ Diversion of the blood from less vital to core vital organs and to muscles. This focuses resources and energy on short-term
survival functions.
~~ Reduction in surface and peripheral circulation. This would reduce bleeding in the case of trauma and it is responsible for
the phenomenon of "cold and clammy" hands and feet.
~~ Digestion, intestinal motility and the immune system are inhibited. Muscles can see up to 400% more blood flow.
~~ Increase in the heart rate and blood pressure to supply more blood quickly to "fight or flee."
~~ Increase in the respiratory rate and dilation of bronchial tubes to get more oxygen from the air.
Breakdown of glycogen stores in liver and muscle to provide more glucose (energy) to the muscles.
~~ Formation of more glucose from proteins and fat stores. Mobilization of immediate energy.
~~ Reduced circulation in cerebral cortex, which reduces thinking to "lower brain" survival instincts. This results in more
impulsive action, like"fight or flight."
~~ Diversion of the blood from less vital to core vital organs and to muscles. This focuses resources and energy on short-term
survival functions.
~~ Reduction in surface and peripheral circulation. This would reduce bleeding in the case of trauma and it is responsible for
the phenomenon of "cold and clammy" hands and feet.
~~ Digestion, intestinal motility and the immune system are inhibited. Muscles can see up to 400% more blood flow.
~~ Increase in the heart rate and blood pressure to supply more blood quickly to "fight or flee."
~~ Increase in the respiratory rate and dilation of bronchial tubes to get more oxygen from the air.
Breakdown of glycogen stores in liver and muscle to provide more glucose (energy) to the muscles.
~~ Formation of more glucose from proteins and fat stores. Mobilization of immediate energy.
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This is a list of possible symptoms caused by stress. Physical symptoms can sometimes mask symptoms of other diseases, so it is important to find out if they are stress-related, or not, by speaking with a health professional.
Chest Pain or Palpitations High Blood Pressure Fatigue
Migraine Indigestion Nausea
Asthma Attacks or Shortness of Breath Loss of Appetite Chronic Cough
Constipation or Diarrhea Stomach Cramps, irritable bowel Muscle tension, cramps
Slow healing wounds, infections Jaw Pain Sleep disturbances
Increased Chlorestrol Tremor or shaking Increased Sweating
Baldness or increased hair loss Skin Problems Infertility
More frequent flu and colds Shoulder, Neck or Back Pain Menstrual Irregularities
Rheumatoid Arthritis Periodontal disease Flatulence or excessivewind
Premature ejaculation or Impotence Poor Circulation Heartburn
Chest Pain or Palpitations High Blood Pressure Fatigue
Migraine Indigestion Nausea
Asthma Attacks or Shortness of Breath Loss of Appetite Chronic Cough
Constipation or Diarrhea Stomach Cramps, irritable bowel Muscle tension, cramps
Slow healing wounds, infections Jaw Pain Sleep disturbances
Increased Chlorestrol Tremor or shaking Increased Sweating
Baldness or increased hair loss Skin Problems Infertility
More frequent flu and colds Shoulder, Neck or Back Pain Menstrual Irregularities
Rheumatoid Arthritis Periodontal disease Flatulence or excessivewind
Premature ejaculation or Impotence Poor Circulation Heartburn
Emotional Symptoms of Stress
Nervousness Depression Frustration
Memory Problems Excess Anger Overreactions
Feeling out of Control Fear Phobias Anxiety
Lack of Concentration Substance Abuse Trouble Thinking Clearly
Behavioral Symptoms of Stress
The antisocial behavior displayed in stressful situations can cause the rapid deterioration of relationships with family, friends,
co-workers, or even strangers. A person under stress may manifest signs such as:
Increased arguments Substance Abuse
Conflict with family, co-workers Indecisiveness
Inability to concentrate Excessive and sustained irritability with other people
Obesity and Over-eating Increased and suppressed anger
Loss of your sense of humor Domestic, workplace violence
Road Rage Overreactions
Paronia Feeling out of control
Decreased sex drive / libido Frequent job changes
Excess emotion & crying at small irritations Lack of interest in anything other than work
Decreased work or athletic performance Withdrawal from responsibilities
Isolation from social actvities Permanently tired even after sleep (very common)
Lack of motivation Increased smoking
Increased or excessive drinking of alcohol Loss of appetite or anorexia
Carelessness Increased coffee consumption
Severe stress reactions that persist for long periods of time and recur without warning after a traumatic event or even after an intense experience such as an accident, hospitalization, or loss, may become a post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) requiring professional assistance to overcome.
co-workers, or even strangers. A person under stress may manifest signs such as:
Increased arguments Substance Abuse
Conflict with family, co-workers Indecisiveness
Inability to concentrate Excessive and sustained irritability with other people
Obesity and Over-eating Increased and suppressed anger
Loss of your sense of humor Domestic, workplace violence
Road Rage Overreactions
Paronia Feeling out of control
Decreased sex drive / libido Frequent job changes
Excess emotion & crying at small irritations Lack of interest in anything other than work
Decreased work or athletic performance Withdrawal from responsibilities
Isolation from social actvities Permanently tired even after sleep (very common)
Lack of motivation Increased smoking
Increased or excessive drinking of alcohol Loss of appetite or anorexia
Carelessness Increased coffee consumption
Severe stress reactions that persist for long periods of time and recur without warning after a traumatic event or even after an intense experience such as an accident, hospitalization, or loss, may become a post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) requiring professional assistance to overcome.
Stress as a Cause of Disease and Death
Acute stress reactions have been shown to increase accidents and completed suicides, which are among the top causes of death in Canada. However, it isn't acute and extreme stress that results in the highest amount of sickness and death. Eight of the top 10 causes of death have been connected to stressful conditions that endure over long periods of time.
Chronic stress is a major risk factor for disease.
This makes complete sense. If we consider the functional effects of stress, such as
inhibiting digestion, immunity, and thinking ability, increasing blood sugar and blood pressure, and stimulating increases in lung function, then what would we expect to happen when we are under these influences
over a long time? Heart disease, strokes, digestive problems, mental illness (depression, anxiety, etc), infections and immune-related diseases, diabetes, etc.
Stressors, and the body's natural responses to them, are the risk factors and mechanisms by which most diseases occur.
In a nutshell, we don't digest, assimilate, regenerate and generally heal properly when we are stuck in a chronic
"stress-on" state.
Chronic stress is a major risk factor for disease.
This makes complete sense. If we consider the functional effects of stress, such as
inhibiting digestion, immunity, and thinking ability, increasing blood sugar and blood pressure, and stimulating increases in lung function, then what would we expect to happen when we are under these influences
over a long time? Heart disease, strokes, digestive problems, mental illness (depression, anxiety, etc), infections and immune-related diseases, diabetes, etc.
Stressors, and the body's natural responses to them, are the risk factors and mechanisms by which most diseases occur.
In a nutshell, we don't digest, assimilate, regenerate and generally heal properly when we are stuck in a chronic
"stress-on" state.
