What Is Stress?

We experience stress constantly. So what is stress? When I have a deadline on an article I’m writing I get a little stressed. When traffic is stalled and I have a client waiting for me at the office I get a little more stressed. If my daughter is in one of her teenaged moods I can get really stressed out. And when all of the above happen and a guy cuts in front of me and then flips me off I can feel like I’m going to explode! Each of those events, labeled as stressors by mental health professionals, can really stress me out.

Some stressful events are normal and can even be useful. Stress is very helpful if you need extra energy to work a little harder to finish a project or when you have to react quickly, like moving out of the way of a bus. The state named “stress” is your body's way of preparing to meet what it perceives to be a difficult situation with enhanced focus, an upsurge of strength and energy, increased stamina and heightened awareness.

When your body perceives stress there is a the release of the hormones cortisol, epinephrine and neoepinephrine from your adrenal glands into the bloodstream. These three hormones cause your heart to beat faster, your lungs to become more efficient, your blood pressure to rise and your metabolism to speed up so your body uses its stored energy more efficiently.

As these hormones hit your blood vessels they open wider to let more blood flow to the large muscle groups, like your legs and back. Your entire body is put on alert as your pupils dilate to improve your vision. Your liver starts to pump out some of its stored glucose which gives you a rush of energy. You begin to sweat allowing you to cool your body efficiently. The purpose of all these physical changes is to prepare you to react quickly and effectively as you handle any perceived threats.

This reaction is known as the stress response. It is also called the fight or flight response. Working properly, the body's stress response enhances your ability to perform well under pressure. Unfortunately the stress response can also cause problems when it overreacts, continues to run or fails to reset itself properly.

Until next time…

Wishing you only success