In a dangerous situation, stress can be helpful because it signals the body to prepare to face a threat or to flee to safety. In such situations, your heart rate quickens, you breathe faster, your muscles contract, and your brain uses more oxygen and increases its activity – all of these functions are a stress response to survive. In non-life-threatening situations, stress can motivate people, for example when they have to take an exam or an interview for a new job.
The effects of chronic stress
Coping with the effects of chronic stress can be difficult. Because the source of long-term stress is more constant than acute stress , the body never receives a clear signal to return to a state of homeostasis.
In chronic stress, these same vital body reactions can disrupt the functioning of the immune, digestive, cardiovascular, sleep and reproductive systems . Some people may experience mainly digestive symptoms , while others may experience headaches, insomnia, sadness, anger, or chest pains
Over time, prolonged stress can lead to serious health problems, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and other illnesses, including mental disorders such as depression or anxiety.
There are different types of stress :
Routine Stress
due to stress at school, work , family and other daily responsibilities.
Stress caused by negative change
sudden, such as job loss, divorce, or illness .
Traumatic Stress
resulting from an event such as a serious accident, war, aggression or natural disaster in which people are at risk of serious injury or death.
WHAT ARE THE FOUR TYPES OF ANXIETY AND HOW CAN THEY BE TREATED?
According to John G. Cotton, people with anxiety do not always meet the very specific criteria of DSM-5, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Thus, in order to offer these patients a less discriminatory diagnosis, he imagined four types of anxiety based on less formal criteria, which will however allow anxious people to receive "the help and support they most need. ".
Situational anxiety
According to the psychologist, in the first place there is a form of anxiety, which manifests itself depending on the specific context or situation. This is, for example, the anxiety felt in the event of a health crisis, before an exam, during a meeting or in anticipation of a new one. Although it is perfectly normal to feel anxious in certain circumstances where there are real and realistic risks, the feeling of disproportionate anxiety and/or persistence, even after the situation in question, can be the warning signs of a deeper problem. To overcome this type of anxiety, try to put stress into perspective, do breathing exercises and do not hesitate to consult a psychologist from time to time.
Biological anxiety
It is a form of anxiety experienced by people who tend to feel nervous and restless, who have a habit of biting their nails or shaking their feet, for example. According to the psychologist, "Biological anxiety can begin with an imbalance of neurotransmitters such as GABA, serotonin, adrenaline/epinephrine and noradrenaline/norepinephrine. Therefore, the cause is physiological and not external elements that can make you anxious from time to time treatment of this type of anxiety John G. Cotton suggests having a psychiatric evaluation, trying different breathing techniques or, if necessary, consulting a psychiatrist to begin medical treatment.
Psychological anxiety
This form of anxiety is more complex: its causes and manifestations can be conscious or unconscious. The psychologist cites as symptoms of this type of anxiety “the feeling of being easily overwhelmed when your plans change; avoiding friends and social gatherings; fear of sex; refusal to go to school; unfounded fears that food is contaminated; the belief that you have a brain tumor in any headache.” Psychological anxiety does not appear as a one-time reaction to an actual event or situation. It is often irrational and disproportionate. is about associating certain things or contexts with negative, imaginary, unrealistic, catastrophic outcomes or incorrect generalizations If you have a panic fear of pigeons and change direction when looking at them, or if you cry from afraid of speaking in public, you may be suffering from psychological anxiety.
existential angst
According to the psychologist, this is the source of all other types of anxiety. In short, it is a deep fear of death and disease. "The more we become aware of our own death, the more likely we are to change our decisions in many often contradictory ways," he told Psychology Today. Examples are refusing to attend a funeral or panicking when a loved one doesn't answer the phone, and imagining that something bad has happened to them. To treat this existential fear, John G. Cotton advises therapies and activities oriented towards "global perspectives", such as religion, listening circles, thematic groups or humanitarian associations. The secret is to give meaning to our life in order to overcome the anxiety of dying.
In any case, if you feel anxious, it is best to consult a mental health professional who will be able to guide you and give you some guidelines to better cope with anxiety.
There are ways to manage stress
If you take practical steps to manage stress, you can reduce the risk of negative health consequences. Here are some tips that can help you manage stress
Try a Relaxing Activity
Consider relaxation or wellness programs that may include meditation , muscle relaxation, or breathing exercises. Make time for these and other healthy, relaxing activities.
Set goals and priorities
Decide what needs to be done now and what can wait. Learn to refuse new tasks if you feel you are doing too much. Try to realize what you have accomplished before the end of the day.
Exercise regularly
Just 30 minutes of walking a day can help improve your mood and your health.
Talk to a healthcare professional or your wellness store
Don't wait for your healthcare professional to ask you questions about stress. Start the conversation and seek appropriate health care for existing or new health issues. Effective treatment can help if stress is affecting your relationships or your ability to work.
Who to contact in the face of a suicidal crisis
We have just seen what were the means to manage stress in order to find a serene state, Now anyone can be overwhelmed. If you or a loved one have suicidal thoughts, you can contact the following associations : (non-exhaustive list)
- Call SOS Friendship 24/7 09 72 39 40 50
- SOS Suicide Phénix from 1 p.m. to 11 p.m. 01 40 44 46 45
- Suicide Listening 01 45 39 40 00
- Red Cross Listening 08 00 85 88 58 Azur Line
- Government listening organizations
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