ARRRGGHHH!!! Stress (Part 1)

How many times have you felt like the guy in the picture above? I know I have been there. And, unfortunately, still am as I write this.

Every day, everyone experiences some type of stress. Whether it's the traffic jam going to work getting you hot-headed, deadlines, frustrations, exercising of some type (including sex), lack of confidence, even getting prepared for the CrossFit sectionals or games, etc. The list is endless. Stress is usually understood as being bad but that isn't always the case. The body does not differentiate between good or bad stress. To it, stress is stress. It can be such a debilitating "disease" that can go unnoticed for quite some time.

Stress is a normal physiologic response in which the body experiences some change in balance. It affects both the body and mind. When the body experiences a sudden stressor, some type of danger for example, the "fight or flight" reaction occurs. This is known as the stress response. This stress response allows the body to protect itself by increasing alertness, energy, and staying more focused.

The stress response comes in 3 phases:

1. The body releases epinephrine (adrenaline) from the adrenal glands which sit on top of the kidneys. This causes the heart rate to increase, increased respirations, dilated pupils, and a sudden surge of energy/strength to name a few.
2. If the body remains in stage 1 for a prolonged period of time, it starts to release sugars and fats that were stored. These are used for energy. When this occurs, the feeling of fatigue can settle in. Other signs and/or symptoms experienced can include, but not limited to: anxiety, negative thoughts, memory loss, depressed immune function (i.e. more susceptible to colds).
3. If the stress is not resolved then the body's requirement for energy becomes more than what it is able to provide. Insomnia, personality changes, and poor judgement can develop. As well as more debilitating illnesses such as mental illness, heart disease, diabetes, stroke, cancer, and even death

There are 4 main types of stress.

1. Hyperstress develops if a person is pushed past what he/she can handle in a given situation. Usually occurs as a result of being overtasked or overworked.
2. Hypostress occurs when a person feels bored or unchallenged with what is being performed. These people tend to be restless, bored, or uninspired.
3. Eustress is also known as the good stress. It keeps things exciting in our lives. It usually arises when we encounter increased physical activity, fervor (my big word for the day), and excitement. Without eustress, depression would be very common. Now even though this is considered to be good stress, too much of it can wear the body down. As mentioned earlier, the body does not differentiate between stresses.
4. Distress is the bad stress. This is the type of stress that most of us can relate to. It is usually brought on by constant readjustments and/or alterations in our daily routines. The feelings of discomfort and unfamiliarity tend to develop. Distress can be subcategorized into the following 2 categories:

• Acute stress is an intense stress that lasts only a brief period of time. It develops from the demands and pressures from the immediate past and the anticipation of tasks in the near future. It can exhaust a person rapidly to the point where anxiety can develop or states of shock.
• Chronic stress occurs over a period of time. It affects a person day after day, year after year. The stressor may be something very minor. As time goes on, the stressor may become just a normal part of the daily routine or he/she gets used to it. It is still contributing to the stress though. Chronic stress kills people through suicide, violence, heart attacks, stroke, cancers, etc. Since this occurs over a long period of time, the symptoms are often very difficult to treat.

In Part 2 of the stress chronicles, the effects of stress on the adrenal system, cardiovascular system, and signs and symptoms will be discussed.

Part 3 will cover unsuspecting contributors to stress as well as stress management/coping mechanisms.

The following is not recommended as a treatment for stress: