“Stress is a response to a threat in any given situation and is the body’s way of protecting you,”
says Psychologist and Head of Clinical Services at Black Dog Institute, Laura Kampel.
Why should we Treat Stress As our Friend?
Who Does Stress Impact?
5.4 million Australians over the age of 14 years old (approximately 25.5% of the population) report suffering from significant stress that impacts their mental health (Roy Morgan, 2020).
Stress can occur because of various reasons, ranging from an illness to lack of sleep.
Consequences of Stress
Symptoms of stress can affect your body, thinking and behaviour.
Stress that is left unattended can impact your immune system and can cause many other health problems such as high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity and diabetes.
One well-known consequence of stress is heart disease. This is because long-term stress causes increased amounts of cortisol to be released, which can increase blood cholesterol, triglycerides, blood sugar, and blood pressure. These are all common risk factors for heart disease.
Long-term stress can also cause changes that promote the buildup of plaque deposits in the arteries. Even minor stress can cause poor blood flow to the heart muscle. Longer term, blood clots can occur, which increases stroke risk.
Another well-known consequence of stress is depression and anxiety, which are also risk factors for dementia.
Treating Stress As Your Friend
Signs & Symptoms of Stress
- Headaches
- Anxiety
- Overreacting or underreacting
- Muscle tension and pain
- Restlessness
- Anger
- Chest pain
- Lack of focus and motivation
- Drug and alcohol misuse
- Fatigue
- Feeling overwhelmed
- Tobacco use
- Social withdrawal
- Stomach issues
- Exercising less
- Sadness or depression
How to Manage Stress
- Getting regular physical activity
- Practicing relaxation techniques (e.g. deep breathing, massage, meditation)
- Keeping a sense of humour
- Spending time with family and friends
- Setting aside time for hobbies, such as reading a book or listening to music
A Fascinating TED Talk
- When you change your mind about stress, you can change your body's response to stress.
- In a typical stress response, your heart rate goes up, and your blood vessels constrict. This is one of the reasons why chronic stress is sometimes associated with cardiovascular disease. It's not healthy to be in this state all the time.
- When participants viewed their stress response as helpful, their blood vessels stayed relaxed. Their heart was still pounding, but this was a much healthier cardiovascular profile. It actually looked a lot like what happens in moments of joy and courage.
- When you reach out to others under stress, either to seek support or to help someone else, you release more of a neuro-hormone called oxytocin. It is because of this hormone that your stress response becomes healthier, and you actually recover faster from stress.
- Your stress response has a built-in mechanism for stress resilience, and that mechanism is human connection.
To watch the full talk, click on the button below.
Take Home Message
The most important message to take home from all of this is that if you are not sure if stress is the cause or if you’ve taken steps to control your stress but your symptoms continue, see your doctor.
At Urban Well, we work with you to reduce unnecessary stress from secondary factors whether it be from muscular pain, immobility or hearing issues; to help you manage your stress levels. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us on (07) 3310 4494 or visit our website (click here) to learn about how we can help you in your journey to stress management and healthy living.
References:
1. https://www.nib.com.au/the-checkup/impact-of-stress-in-australia
3.https://www.roymorgan.com/findings/8566-australian-mental-health-conditions-covid-19-pandemic-november-2020-202011090621