what does stress mean?

How often do you say, “I am stressed” in a week? These days not feeling stressed is considered abnormal. Stress is when you feel physical, emotional, and psychological tension. It can be triggered by several things, such as any challenge, change, or demand. We usually realize we feel stressed when we feel fatigued, have digestive problems, increased blood pressure, body aches, pains, racing thoughts, and heart rate. All of the symptoms put a severe strain on the body and mind. Stress usually means that we have taken on more than we should, and we are completely overwhelmed. To truly understand our stress, we need to look at the types of stress. 

ACUTE STRESS

Acute is the most common type of stress and is usually short-term. It stems from overthinking and focusing on time. There is not enough time to handle something, and the constant racing or negative thoughts about something cause us stress until the “something” is over. For example, if there is a presentation due in a week, the pressure of meeting the deadline and it going well will subside once the presentation is over. Acute stress can come and go over time, but the defining factor is that there is a period of time without feeling stress. 

EPISODIC ACUTE STRESS

Episodic acute stress is when acute stress happens more frequently, and the stress-free periods are significantly decreased. In this situation, the pressure of deadlines and tasks seems to last even after the event is over. This means stressing over the presentation days after or stressing over the next presentation even before it is assigned. This type of stress can be exhausting and lead to constantly trying to be ahead and always being on the “Ps and Qs.” Episodic acute stress is usually a red flag that your life demands need to be changed or reduced. 

CHRONIC STRESS

Chronic stress stems from long-term pressures, usually systemic such as unemployment, substance abuse, impoverished household, dysfunctional marriage, and so much more. There is little to no relief from this type of stress, so the nervous system always alerts and sends out fight-or-flight hormones. This type of stress can cause irreversible damage to our physical and mental health. Chronic stress can be caused by a trauma or lead to a trauma. The body can sustain stress for only so long; however, chronic stress is the one that can lead to fatality. 

Stress can be treated with therapy and medications. Don't let stress control your life. Learn more about stress at HEALTHLINE.