By definition, stress is a neutral force, it is the degree by which one subjected to and for how long that determines whether the outcome will be favourable.
A level of stress is required in everyday life in order to cope with the challenges. Stress responses in the human body originated in cavemen, when the body needed to source a quick supply of energy when faced with a dinosaur or other dangerous situation. Although the dinosaurs died out in the Ice Age, the human stress reaction did not.
The human stress response is centred in the sympathetic nervous system, focusing on the hypothalamus in the brain and the adrenal and pituitary glands, the stress response is also known as the “fight or flight response” as it readies the body to either attack the enemy or run away quickly from the dangerous situation.
Modern Day Stressors
Today’s stress is not quite as immediate life or death as it was in the caveman’s day; however long term stress can have significant impacts on the health of an individual. Stressors can be internal to the body or in the external environment and may be positive or negative.
For example, getting married is an incident of positive stress but if the relationship dies and divorce is the consequence, the stress of dealing with the divorce can be negative stress. Exercise and hard physical work can also put the body into stress.
When the body is in stress response mode, a three-stage process, known as the General Adaptation Syndrome, begins.
Alarm - Be Flight or Fight Ready
The hypothalamus, adrenal and pituitary glands release additional hormones into the bloodstream in order for the body to be prepared for action. Breathing may become rapid and shallow, the liver releases additional glucose into the blood for energy and your heart rate may rise.
The body can activate the alarm stage many times throughout the day in response to stressful situations.
Resistance - Reacting to Ongoing Stress
During resistance, the body is reacting to continued stress and the requirement to constantly prepare for action by being alarmed. In this stage of the General Adaptation Syndrome, the body is using great stores of energy, hormones, minerals and glucose. Symptoms such as stomach problems, muscle pains, fatigues, headaches, insomnia, intestinal problems and eating issues may present.
Exhaustion - Weakening of the Immune System
This is the body’s response to continued long term stress. During the exhaustion stage, the body’s immune system may become weakened or there may be damage or disease to other internal organs.
The initial reaction to a stressful situation is the flight or fight response; this allows the body to quickly release energy in order to run away or stand and fight. If a person is exposed to continual or ongoing stressful situations, the General Adaptation Syndrome will move through three stages, alarm and resistance to exhaustion. During exhaustion there is potential for an individual to experience physical illness as the immune system breaks down.
Although stress is a neutral force, exposure to ongoing stressful situations can cause problems for the human body. The human stress response, which originated in cavemen and prepares the body for action, the flight or fight syndrome or alarm, is the first phase of the General Adaptation Syndrome. If the stressful situation continues, the body enters phase two fo the General Adaptation Syndrome, resistance. During resistance the body cycles in and out of the alarm state using great amounts of energy. If the stress becomes chronic, the body enters into the final stage of the General Adaptation Syndrome, exhaustion where physical illness can result.
References
Bruno, L & Frey, R (2006) "Stress Reduction" in Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine 3rd ed, Gale Cengage Learning
Plotnik, R (1999) Introduction to Psychology 5th edition, Wadsworth Publishing Co, USA
Tracey Lloyd - Based in Australia, Tracey Lloyd is experienced in management & strategic development of community projects and non-profit ...
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