When a change occurs that causes strain either physically, emotionally, or psychologically, stress is taking place. Certain forms of stress are helpful to the body, and others can cause serious damage.  There are four different types of stress:

Eustress:  A healthy form of stress that keeps one vital by creating a feeling of fulfillment (ex. working hard to meet a deadline)

Acute Stress:  Commonly known as the fight-or-flight response, this is an intense and short-lived type of stress that occurs in response to an immediate physical, emotional, or psychological perceived threat.  Because it is not long lasting, acute stress has no major negative health impacts.

Episodic Acute Stress:  Also known as distress, this type of stress is caused by continual needless worrying, typical of those with personalities characterized by irritability, impatience, and anger. This is an unhealthy form of stress, which can have damaging effects on health.

Chronic Stress: Stress that is felt most of the time in any given individual, and seems inescapable and never-ending. This is an extremely unhealthy form of stress, which can cause long term damage to health.

The point at which stress stops motivating one to take action and to strive to accomplish goals, is the point at which stress becomes unhealthy.  Stress becomes damaging to overall health when an individual feels paralyzed by anxiety and worry, and consequently is no longer inspired to take action.

When the body experiences stress, it releases hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol. These hormones change the autonomic nervous system by increasing heart rate, slowing digestion, and decreasing blood flow to extremities.  As a result of these changes, the body gains a surplus of energy. Normally, when the stressful situation has ceased, the body’s systems should return to their normal functioning as one relaxes once again.  In the case of chronic stress, the body does not relax, and experiences stress when stress is unnecessary.  When the body’s systems are continually functioning abnormally, there can be grave repercussions to overall bodily health.

The first symptoms of chronic stress are usually physical. Common symptoms include chronic headaches and contracting colds more easily. Chronic stress that has been experienced for longer periods of time may contribute to depression, diabetes, heart disease, hyperthyroidism, hair loss, obesity, obsessive-compulsive or anxiety disorder sexual dysfunction, ulcers, as well as gum and tooth disease.  Although it is not yet certain, research suggests that chronic stress may also be a contributing factor to cancer.  Almost 90% of doctor’s visits are due to stress- related symptoms.

Too much stress can reduce one’s happiness and quality of life, as it can make setting and reaching goals as well as sustaining healthy relationships much more challenging. So naturally, anxiety disorders and depression can develop when one is under too much stress.

Dramatic increases or decreases in weight are other possible results of stress.  Because everyone deals with stress differently, some may overeat and some may under eat to cope with stress.  Some people may also develop eating disorders. These are often those who feel stressed or unhappy about something they may not be able to control. In response, they choose to fix another aspect of their life that they can control to make themselves feel better. Body mass is usually an element of one’s life that one can control, and so those who are unhappy with their weight have the power to lose it. The rational behind some eating disorders is that improving upon and having control over body mass, will make one feel happier in the face of the primary cause of unhappiness that is out of that individual’s control. Contrarily, some overeat in response to stress because eating is easy, quick, and can provide instant pleasure during stressful situations.

Less Obvious Effects of Stress on the Human Body

Memory and concentration can be negatively affected by chronic stress.  Research indicates that those who are overexposed to stress have trouble with their short term and verbal memory. Stress can negatively affect performance at school and work, as stress makes paying attention to detail much more difficult which can lead one to make a greater number of careless mistakes. 

Believe it or not, emotional distress can actually worsen already existing pain.   Furthermore, headaches, muscle pains, back pain, and increased sensitivity to arthritis can all be caused by emotional stress.

Certain gastrointestinal disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, and ulcers can be caused by stress.  Nausea, constipation, and diarrhea are all symptoms of stress as well.

Written by Megan Meisner