Effects of Stress

What happens when we are stressed?
When we are stressed, the body goes into overdrive producing high levels of the hormones adrenalin and noradrenaline. These hormones produce a balancing act preparing the body for action – "fight" or "flight".

Adrenaline:-

• tenses our muscles preparing them for a reaction
• raises blood sugar levels to ensure we have energy at the ready
• increases pulse rate and blood pressure to pump more blood around the body enabling us to think more clearly and generally become more active in all respects
• increases our breathing rate, ensuring oxygen is circulating within the body, feeding our cells and allowing us to concentrate more as well as combating tiredness
• dilates our pupils to provide better vision
• diverts blood from unnecessary areas, such as stomach, to priority areas
• increases sweating to dispose of toxins and keep the body cool
  

Nor-adrenaline: works in the opposite way to adrenaline, by relaxing muscles, slowing heart rate, decreasing blood pressure. These hormones work together with adrenaline preparing us for fight or flight and nor-adrenaline helping returning the body to normal once the danger has subsided.

Research has indicated that people fall into two groups in times of stress. Those with more adrenaline than nor-adrenaline are known as "Roaring Lions", people who are likely to react aggressively to stress. Those with more nor-adrenaline than adrenaline are known as "Frightened Rabbits", people who tend to be more emotional and tearful.

Why does stress cause problems?
Problems with stress occur when our bodies are producing large amounts of both hormones frequently or over long periods of time. As a result our bodies start to show our weaknesses. Initially, even though we may not notice it, our concentration may start to lapse, we may become aggressive and irritable. We may also notice changes in our sleeping patterns and eating habits. These symptoms in themselves can cause more stress.

As the stress factors continue to accumulate, the physical symptoms start to appear. Headaches, migraines, fatigue, indigestion and heartburn are common. There is a wide range of other physical symptoms which may occur including skin problems, palpitations, back and neck aches, dry mouth, sweating, diarrhoea, and exacerbation of any existing medical conditions e.g. eczema, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

How can we avoid stress and its problems?
Stress is often a result of our fears or anxieties, thinking the worst of each situation rather than realistic anticipation of actual happenings. To avoid the negative effects of stress we need to establish what may start us worrying and then we can learn to deal with them.

In the shorter term we may need to take something to help us sleep, ease the migraine or relieve the indigestion. When we are feeling better we can start to see things more clearly.

In the longer term, we should use adrenaline to its full advantage. Adrenaline allows us to prepare our mind and body to perform, whether that's taking an exam or meeting deadlines. If we don't utilise this naturally, we need to burn up our excess adrenaline. Exercise is the best way. It stops us thinking about our problem, it releases our pent-up energy and releases chemicals called 'endorphins'. Sometimes referred to as "a happy hormone", these are the body's natural painkillers and also produce feelings of well-being.