What Is Stress?

What is stress?

Stress is a normal physical response to events that make you feel threatened or unbalanced. It is a normal part of life that can either help us learn and grow or can cause us significant problems. Stress comes in many forms and effects people of all ages and backgrounds. Because of the overabundance of stress in our modern lives, we usually think of stress as a negative experience, but stress can actually be a neutral, negative, or positive experience. When you sense danger the body's defenses kick into high gear in a rapid, automatic process known as the “fight-or-flight” reaction, known as the stress response.

The stress response is the body’s way of protecting you and helping you to meet challenges. When you perceive a threat, your nervous system responds by releasing a flood of stress hormones, including adrenaline and cortisol. These hormones prepare the body for emergency action. When working properly, it helps you stay focused, energetic, and alert. In emergency situations, stress can save your life – giving you extra strength to defend yourself, for example, or prompting you to slam on the brakes to avoid an accident.

Types of Stress

• Eustress: is the good type of stress. It arises when motivation and inspiration are needed at points of increased physical activity, enthusiasm, and creativity. Eustress prepares the muscles, heart, and mind for the strength needed for whatever is about to occur. An example of someone who would experience eustress is an athlete preparing for a big game or competition.

• Distress: Distress is a negative type of stress that influences a person`s ability to cope. It is also what the mind and body undergoes when a normal routine is constantly adjusted and altered. The mind is not comfortable with this new routine, and seeks the familiarity of