vibeshighsociety
Contradictory to popular belief, short bursts of stress are actually helpful – as it helps us tackle dangerous situations or to wind up work before a deadline quickly. If short bursts of stress are okay, why is stress always looked at from a negative perspective? Let’ understand better:
While a little stress is totally alright, the problem is with long-term, chronic stress that comes with a set of ill effects. Identifying whether you’re stressed or not can be difficult, especially if you aren’t aware of stress symptoms, which can be physical, emotional, cognitive, and even behavioral. Some of the common signs of stress are:
Physical Symptoms
• Headaches
• Sleeplessness
• Pain in different parts of the body
• Lack of energy
• Cold or sweaty hands or feet
Emotional Symptoms
• Low self-esteem
• Isolating oneself
• Mood swings
• Feeling overwhelmed
Behavioral Symptoms
• Constant fidgeting
• Changes in appetite
• Procrastination
• Substance abuse
Cognitive Symptoms
• Overthinking
• Forgetfulness
• Cluttered mind
• Disorientation
• Inability to focus
Effects of Chronic Stress
Stress and health are closely connected, and the effects of stress can be both physical and emotional. It is important to understand that the effects of chronic stress will not be the same for all – every person reacts differently to stress, which makes it all the more difficult to understand the effects of chronic stress.
If not dealt with, prolonged stress can result in serious illnesses such as depression, personality disorders, anxiety, and other mental issues. It can also lead to eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia. These disorders in turn result in drastic weight fluctuations in the body. Chronic stress can also be the underlying cause of frequent colds, flu, and other virulent infections.
Stress build-up in the body can also weaken our immune system, making us more susceptible to illnesses ranging from the common cold to other serious illnesses. When we’re stressed out, our bodies release the hormone cortisol in the bloodstream. For short bursts of stress, cortisol can help regulate the natural functions of our body. But when it comes to long-term stress, cortisol levels are elevated, leading to inflammation in the body. Inflammation is the root cause of serious illnesses such as diabetes, cardiac ailments, and even arthritis.
Excess cortisol levels in the body also result in a decrease in the production of white blood cells (WBCs). Coupled with inflammation, the decreased WBC count in the body leads to a weak immune system that is unable to tackle diseases efficiently.
Does Stress Affect Your Success?
Of course, it does. In fact, short bursts of stress are actually good for you, as they lead to increased productivity and improved performance. It is stress that motivates you to get things done within the deadline, giving you that little push when you need it the most. When stress hits, our body gets an instant boost of energy, an adrenaline rush that keeps you going through challenges that come your way.
