Research on Stress

Analyzing Stress

Hans Selye was the first psychologist to study stress (Mills, Reiss and Dombeck). He spent a very long time studying how animals react to certain things, and then went to humans shortly after that (Mills, Reiss and Dombeck). Selye found out that the human body shares a specific pattern of physiological responses to illness or injuries (Mills, Reiss and Dombeck). Also, Hans suggested that stress weakens the body's ability to resist infection and also increases a person's ability to get certain diseases (Mills, Reiss and Dombeck). When people in the 1950's heard of this idea, they thought it was great (Mills, Reiss and Dombeck)! Now a days, no one pays attention or knows that Selye found out this revolutionary idea (Mills, Reiss and Dombeck).

Cramming for tests and having family issues are two things that could lead to being stressed. However, many things can lead to feeling stressed. Stress is a mental or emotional strain that results from a trying circumstance (Merriam-webster). Stress can affect the body in multiple ways good and bad but there are always ways to deal with it.

There are two different kinds of stress: Eustress and Distress (Mills, Reiss and Dombeck). Eustress is a positive stress that motivates people and improves performance (Mills, Reiss and Dombeck). Whereas distress is a negative stress that causes anxiety or concern (Mills, Reiss and Dombeck). When a certain situation or event causes someone to be stressed, it is called a stressor (Rathus, Holt and Rinehart). For example, a negative stressor could be losing contact with a loved one, filing for divorce, death of a family member, etc. (Mills, Reiss and Dombeck). On the other hand, a positive stressor could be getting married, having a child, retiring, or buying a home (Mills, Reiss and Dombeck). Both of these stressors can affect the body in good and bad ways!

Stress can come from many things, but there are four specific sources of stress (Living). The first source of stress is Survival Stress; this is known as the fight or flight response (Living). The fight or flight response is when the body feels that it is in danger and it reacts quickly (World). This response is also called the "acute stress response" which was first defined by Walter Cannon in the 1920s (World). The body produces adrenaline and norepinephrine and the body knows to run or fight whatever is in front of them (World). The fight or flight response is in the category of survival stress because it is how the body reacts in order to survive. Internal Stress is another source of stress. This is when someone makes themselves stressed about things that they cannot control (Living). It is called internal stress because you are doing it to yourself and making yourself feel stressed (Living) ; next, there is Environmental Stress. This is the response your body has to things surrounding you (Living). For example, loud noises and crowds are things occurring in the environment that could stress you out, simply because it bothers you (Living). Fatigue and Overwork are the last sources of stress. Without a break, stress builds up and you become upset from never relaxing (Living). This often happens to men/women who work long hours every day throughout the week; they never have a time to relax and eventually they just break down from holding in all their stress (Living).

There are also multiple causes that can make someone stressed. Good or bad experiences or any kind of demand on the body usually cause people to be stressed (Living). When someone feels stressed, the body releases chemicals into the blood which can be good and/or bad. This can either cause your body to become ready for something or cause you to have a breakdown and not react quick enough (Living). Good and bad stress is known as positive and negative stress (Living). Both types of stress can affect the body in multiple different ways. It affects the body and the mind and can cause people to have mental breakdowns (Living). Stress can also change people's behavior drastically. If someone is stressed, they can become depressed and antisocial (Living). Stress changes people usually for the worse.

Usually, people can tell when someone is stressed because of how they are acting. There are multiple signs that can show that someone is stressed (Living). Short term stress and Long term stress both have different signs (Living). Short term stress signs include, fast heartbeat, sweating profusely, cold feet and skin, tense muscles, dry mouth, fatigue, and nausea (Living). Whereas long term stress signs include, change in appetite, change in sleeping habits, nervous behavior, change in sex life and being tired/worn out (Living). When dealing with stress, doctors suggest for people to just breathe (Living). There are four things that doctors also suggest for people to do when feeling stressed such as breathing deeply, relaxing muscles, making a change in their life or laughing more often (Living). Also, there are a couple breathing techniques that are suggested for people to do when stressed; Breath counting and Belly breathing. Also, relaxation techniques can make you feel better as well. Arm exercises, neck exercises, back exercises, and leg exercises are all suggested to relax someone who is feeling stressed (Living).

In order to begin to live a stress free lifestyle, there are a couple steps that are suggested to de stress your life. For example, exercising regularly can help get your blood pumping and will keep your lungs and heart healthy. Walking, jogging, or swimming are great examples of stress free exercises to help keep yourself happy and healthy (Living). Also, eliminating caffeine and eating healthier can de stress your life (Living). Having a healthy diet can keep your body strong which pertains to the saying, "You are what you eat." By eating healthy, you will be happy and healthy (Living). Another way to decrease stress is to make sure you always get enough sleep at night. Doctors suggest to try to stick to a regular sleep schedule so that your body is on a normal routine (Living). Usually the more sleep you have the happier you will be (Living). Doctors also suggest to avoid abusing alcohol and drugs because you will not be stressed more than you have to (Living). All of these activities can help reduce your stress but there are always more ways to get help. Visiting your doctor, talking to a counselor, exercising and/or reading can reduce your stress as well (Living).

Due to stress, there are always good and bad outcomes. Eustress, the positive stress, can produce alertness and motivation in oneself and distress, the negative stress, links to anxiety (Rathus, Holt and Rinehart). Stress always affects the body but people deal with it and become a better person. Holt Psychology stated that 51% of students seek counseling due to stress, anxiety, or nervousness (Rathus, Holt and Rinehart). Stress is one part of life that everyone deals with and can sometimes be a burden, but a necessity in life.

Works Cited

Living, Mountain State. Centers for Independent. Understanding and Dealing with Stress. Huntington, n.d. Web.

Merriam-webster. Merriam-webster. 2016. Web.

Mills, Harry, Natalie Reiss and Mark Dombeck. Eustress vs. Distress. 30 June 2008. Web.

Rathus, Spencer A., et al. "What is Stress?" Holt Psychology. Principles in Practice. Austin: Holt, 2003. 386-389. Book.

World, Psychologist. Stress: Fight or Flight Response. 2016. Web.