The term stress is an adaptation to Spanish of the English voice stress, which refers to "emphasis", "tension" or "pressure", sometimes in a negative sense or other positively. Stress is the body's reaction to any demands and circumstances in life, or a state of strong physiological or psychological tension that can lead to physical illness. Stress causes specific physical illnesses, worry and anguish, which can lead to mental disorders; family and social disorders; as well as the loss of the spiritual dimension, so necessary to get out of trouble.
What is stress
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The concept of stress states that this is the way in which the body reacts to a state of nervous tension, that is, it is the way the body has to respond to this state and it is through the sympathetic nervous system of activation, which gives I move on to the fight or flight reaction.
Because the body cannot sustain this condition for extended periods of time, the parasympathetic system is prone to return the body to more normal physiological states.
In humans, the definition of stress commonly describes a negative condition (distress), or otherwise, a positive state (eustress), which can cause physical, mental or even discomfort or well-being in a human being.
Symptoms of stress
The symptoms of nervousness are many, but the most common are:
Emotional
Anxiety or depression, fear, irritability, nervousness, altered mood, contusion, etc.
Thoughts
Excessive self-criticism, excessive fear of failure, forgetfulness, trouble making decisions and concentrating, recurring thoughts.
Behaviors
Increased consumption of tobacco, nervous laughter, bad treatment of others, alcohol and other drugs, crying, increased or decreased appetite, clenching the jaws, etc.
Physical changes
Cold or sweaty hands, muscle stiffness, insomnia, fatigue, headaches, rapid breathing, rashes, neck or back problems, sexual diffusion, etc.
Types of stress
There are three types, which are:
Acute
It is the most common type that originates essentially in response to a specific demand or pressure, so it is short-lived and easy to treat and handle. It presents with symptoms of tension and fatigue, cold hands and feet, Overexcitement, little anxiety and depressive feelings.
Acute episodic
These are individuals who suffer from acute states constantly and who seem to be tied to a circle of excessive responsibilities, which plunges them into a disorderly life, governed by self-imposed conditioning and involved in a continuous crisis. Affected people are usually irritable, sour, quite nervous and are in a continuous state of restlessness. Also, they constantly accuse other people of all their problems.
Chronic
It is an exhausting state, which causes constant emotional and physical exhaustion in people who suffer from it. Poverty, having a job that you don't like, dysfunctional families, are some of the circumstances that can cause stress. Many times this type of state provokes thoughts of suicide, or gives rise to the appearance of some systemic diseases, such as stroke. Stronger symptoms such as those mentioned may need drug treatment, in addition to psychological treatment.
Main causes of stress
The causes that cause it are generally indeterminate situations that cause wear and tear on the body. The nervousness responds to pressure situations, changes, demands and challenges the person faces every day. For example; at work, the influence of various elements, interpersonal relationships with the boss or colleagues or by the nature of the job itself. In the family, economic pressures, unaccepted individual differences, concerns about situations in the community, the country, etc.
All these situations produce depression, irritability, insomnia, loss of intellectual capacity, frustration and aggressiveness. These psychosomatic disorders generally affect the autonomic nervous system, which controls the internal organs of the body. Certain types of migraine and face or back pain, asthma, stomach ulcer, hypertension and premenstrual cravings, are examples of stress-related disorders.
The relationship between stress and anxiety
Currently, there are many factors around us such as work, family or personal situations that cause a great deal of tension, which cause people a state of discomfort and restlessness, which in some cases, unleash serious physical affectations.
On many occasions the meaning of stress and anxiety is used synonymously. In both cases, a reaction is caused by the great physiological activation. The concept of stress, on the one hand, indicates that it is a more extensive process of coupling in the middle. On the other, anxiety is an emotional response of alarm to a threat.
It can be said then that, within the systems of change that involve stress, cravings is the most frequent emotional response. Increased anxiety produces stress, but at the same time, stress is one of the most common causes of anxiety.
Consequences of stress
There are many consequences of this condition which are:
- Anguish.
- Tiredness, fatigue, or loss of energy.
- Pain in the back
- Constipation or diarrhea
- Depression.
- Headaches.
- High blood pressure
- Insomnia.
- Feeling of "shortness of breath".
- Hair loss.
- Pressure on the neck.
- Stomach ache.
- Gain or lose weight
- Humor changes.
- Tooth or jaw pressure.
- Take more alcohol, tranquilizers, or other drugs.
- Smoking excessively.
- Low self-esteem.
- Difficulty relating to others or at work
- Problems in different areas of life.
- Difficulty making decisions.
- Variation in lifestyle, for no apparent reason.
How Stress Affects Muscle Tension
There is constant talk about the symptoms that this health condition causes, such as lack of appetite, irritation, excessive sweating, muscle stiffness or high blood pressure. However, these are one of the few signs on the long list of the effects that they can bring.
Muscle tension is undoubtedly one of the most common stress symptoms that affects the neck and back more than anything else. This state causes the nerves to become more rigid, causing them at the same time to contract the muscles and compress the vertebrae.
Muscle problems are related to emotional headaches or tension, despite the fact that they also cause permanent muscle aches, contractures, or even muscle numbness.
Stress in children
What does post-traumatic stress mean?
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a real condition. You can get PTSD after witnessing or experiencing traumatic events such as hurricanes, wars, physical abuse, rape, or a serious accident. Post-traumatic stress causes a person to feel anxious and afraid after the danger has passed, seriously affecting their lives and those of those around them.
PTSD can start at any time, it all depends on the person. The symptoms of this disorder usually begin immediately after the traumatic event. Other individuals develop new and more severe symptoms months or even years later. It is important to note that this type of disorder can affect anyone, both children and adults.
What is work stress
Work stress is a class of disorder that is associated with the workplace, and that can be specific or chronic. It is important to know that this can be given in a positive or negative way.
The meaning of positive stress cites that when the reaction to distress originates adaptively, the results of said response do not affect the overall health of the person and its time is adapted to the duration of the stimulus, however, the reaction to this This state is triggered on the first working day, which is adaptive, because it implies that you have to be attentive to receive new stimuli, such as: bosses, tasks, company procedures, colleagues, etc.
On the other hand, the concept of negative stress indicates that when the response stops being adaptive, it becomes negative work stress. Since if said condition lasts more than thirty days, the reaction intensifies over time and begins to intervene in the health of the worker (anxiety, depression, insomnia problems appear, among others).
What does oxidative stress mean
By definition, oxidative stress is defined as the imbalance between the production of oxygen-stimulating species and the provision of a biological system that quickly deciphers the intermediate reagents or helps to repair the resulting damage. All lifestyles support a limiting environment within their cells. This limiting medium is preserved by the enzymes that support the limited state through a continuous supply of metabolic energy. The imbalance in the normal redox condition can cause toxic products through the manufacture of free radicals and peroxide that damage all the members of the cell, including lipids, proteins and DNA.
In chemical terms, this type of stress is increasingly negative in the decrease in cellular potency or a great decrease in the reducing capacity of cellular redox pairs such as glutathione. The consequences of oxidation require the magnitude of these changes, if the cell is able to overcome the disturbances and return to its original state. However, severe oxidative stress can lead to cell death, or even moderate occupancy could trigger apoptosis, and if severe oxidative stress can cause necrosis.
How to remove stress permanently
This condition is caused by the things of daily life, and can have a very negative impact on health. That is why it is recommended to lead a healthy lifestyle, here we will give you 5 ways to eliminate stress naturally.
Meditation
It is one of the best options to relax and get away from the stressful means of everyday life. For many years, meditation has been used by many people to optimize their mood, lead a healthy lifestyle, and gain more health. There are several studies that prove the benefits of meditation on the body.
Yoga
Yoga is another natural way to relax in addition to exercise. As is known, exercising releases endorphins which are hormones related to good mood and which cause a sensation of pleasure. According to some studies, doing yoga has the same benefits: it improves the connection of the soul and the body, improves and reinforces the sleep cycle, eliminates pain, controls nervousness and causes a feeling of love to the body.
to write
It may sound absurd, but keeping a journal is an excellent option to eliminate stress and nervousness. When you make a habit of writing in a journal before going to sleep, you begin to be more reflective about your emotions (positive and negative) and to recognize why they feel that way.
Essential oils
In the same way as meditation, essential oils have been used for many years for various things. In this case, they are excellent to use as relaxants. Whether placed on the temple, used during meditation, or used in a bath, these oils could prove to be the best ally as a relaxing medium.
Nutritious diet
Eating a balanced diet is extremely important to reduce levels of anxiety and restlessness. When in a stressful state, many people feel the urge to eat processed foods with refined sugar. Consuming this kind of food usually makes you feel good for a certain time, giving you a feeling of more energy. That is why it is recommended to consume foods high in calcium, vitamin B, omega 3 and magnesium. In addition to other foods such as green vegetables, salmon, nuts, olive oil, protein, avocado, and coconut oil. Such foods help to optimize mood, eliminate agitation and improve concentration.
Remedies to cure stress
The most commonly used medications to cure stress are anxiolytics. These are drugs that suppress and relieve cravings, without causing drowsiness or sedation. This group of drugs includes benzodiazepines, beta-blockers, buspirones, and a certain antidepressant. This class of drugs must always be strictly monitored by a doctor and, above all, must be restricted for a certain time, since there is a risk of drug addiction.
Recommended tea to remove stress
There is a wide variety of natural teas and infusions that help heal stress, among which the following stand out:
Valerian tea
Valerian is a very common herb for its therapeutic effects: anxiolytic, sedative, antidepressant, and anticonvulsant. Which acts as an analgesic or tranquilizer in the nervous systems and the brain. To prepare this infusion, a tablespoon of this herb should be allowed to rest in a cup of very hot water for a maximum of two minutes.
Chamomile tea
The chamomile flower is a natural relaxant. It has sesquiterpenes, which is a substance that works in the limbic brain area (center of emotions and memory) and the nervous system, in which stress is generated, producing the same effect as drugs for cravings. To prepare chamomile tea, add 4g of chamomile flowers to a cup of hot water. Let it sit for 10 minutes and drink one or two cups a day.
Ginseng tea
It is considered an “adaptogen”, an element that supplies special nutrients for the body to achieve optimal physical and mental performance, in order to help eliminate nervousness and in turn strengthen the immune system. It is not recommended for pregnant women.
Passion flower tea
Popularly known as passionflower, it is an effective herb to reduce cravings and tensions in the body, because it has an anxiolytic effect that relaxes. It incites the activation of neurotransmitters that relax the nervous system.
