Stress is a scientific and technical term used in the fields of psychology, biology, and medicine. It refers to a person’s response to demands placed on them, whether these are physical (e.g. illness or injury), psychological (e.g. bereavement or exam pressure), or environmental (e.g. extreme cold or heat). The term was first coined in the early 20th century by endocrinologist Hans Selye, who defined it as “the non-specific response of the body to any demand for change”.
The body responds to stressors by activating the sympathetic nervous system and releasing hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol. These prepare the body for “fight or flight”, increasing heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration, and redirecting blood flow away from non-essential functions such as digestion. This physiological response is beneficial in short-term situations where we need to take quick action, but if it becomes chronic it can lead to health problems such as high blood pressure, heart disease, anxiety disorders, and depression.
There are different types of stress: acute stress is brief but intense; chronic stress is long-term; eustress is positive stress that motivates us; distress is negative stress that overwhelzing And Managing Stress Overwhelms us; good stress helps us meet challenges while bad stress impairs our ability to cope . Some people are more susceptible to stress than others due to genetic factors , personality type , past experiences , or social support network .
There are various ways of managing stress including relaxation techniques such as yoga or meditation , exercise , talking to friends or family , journaling , and therapy . Lifestyle changes such as getting enough sleep , eating a healthy diet , reducing alcohol intake , and quitting smoking can also help reduce our vulnerability tostress .