Stages of Stress

October 12, 2022
 By Dr. Alan Weidner
October 12, 2022
 By Dr. Alan Weidner

Stages of Stress

Stress is an inevitable part of life. It’s a natural response to any kind of demand placed on us. Whether it’s a work deadline, caring for a family member, or dealing with a difficult personal situation, stress can take a toll on your physical and emotional well-being. When you encounter stress, you need to do your best to cope with it healthily. One way to do this is to use massage chairs. This blog post will explore stress and its implications and how a massage chair can help you effectively cope with stress.

Understanding Stress

These days, there are many things that can trigger or cause stress. It might be work, family, school, or personal relationships. It could be a one-time event, like moving to a new house or getting laid off from work, or it could be on-going, like caring for a family member who is suffering from a terminal disease like cancer. No matter what the cause of your stress is, it’s important to understand that stress is a normal human reaction.

There are three stages of stress: the alarm stage, the resistance stage, and the exhaustion stage. Each stage has its own set of symptoms that can help you identify whether or not you’re experiencing stress.

The Alarm Stage

The alarm stage is the first stage of stress. This is when you experience the “fight-or-flight” response. Your heart rate increases; your blood pressure rises, and you start to breathe faster. You are also more alert, and your muscles are tense. This response is designed to help you deal with a threat or danger.

For example, if you are about to speak in front of a large group of people, you may feel your heart racing and your hands sweating. This is your body’s way of preparing you to deal with the situation. The alarm stage is a normal response that happens when you’re faced with a challenge. However, if you experience too much stress, it can lead to the second stage of stress, which is the resistance stage.

The Resistance Stage

The resistance stage is the second stage of stress. This is when your body tries to adapt to the stressful situation. You may experience symptoms such as headaches, muscle tension, and fatigue. Your immune system may also be weakened, which can lead to illness. The main difference between the resistance stage and the alarm stage is that your body is now trying to cope with the stress. This means that you may not be able to think as clearly or make decisions as easily.

For example, if you are under a lot of stress at work, you may find it difficult to concentrate on your tasks. You may also make more mistakes than usual. If you are dealing with a personal crisis — such as a divorce or the death of a loved one — you may have trouble sleeping or eating.

The key to coping with the resistance stage of stress is to recognize the symptoms and take action to reduce them. This may include exercise, relaxation techniques, and seeking professional help.

The Exhaustion Stage

The last stage of stress is exhaustion. This is when your body has used up all its resources to deal with the stressor and can no longer continue at the same pace. You may feel physically and emotionally drained, have trouble sleeping, and be more susceptible to illness.

The exhaustion stage is very serious and can lead to burnout. This is when you become so overwhelmed by stress that you can no longer cope. If you reach this stage, it’s important to get help from a doctor or counselor. This way, you can learn how to manage your stress and get back on track.

What Happens if You Don’t Deal With Stress the Right Way?

A lot of people think that they can just ignore their stress and it will eventually go away. Unfortunately, that’s not how it works. Stress is like a fire — if you don’t put it out, it will only get bigger and bigger until it consumes you. Below are the things that could happen if you don’t deal with stress properly.

Become Sick More Often

One of the first things that happen when you’re under too much stress is that your immune system weakens. This means you’re more susceptible to getting sick, and it takes you longer to recover from illnesses. If you get sick more often, it’s not only a hassle and an inconvenience, but it also takes a toll on your productivity.

Weight Gain or Loss

When you’re stressed, your body goes into “fight or flight” mode. This means that the hormones that are released — like cortisol — can cause you to crave high-fat and high-sugar foods. These types of foods give you a temporary energy boost, but they’re not good for your long-term health.

If stress pushes you to eat more, you may start to see a gradual weight gain. On the other hand, some people lose their appetite when they’re stressed and end up losing weight.

Relationship Problems

It’s not uncommon for people who are under a lot of stress to take it out on their loved ones. This can lead to arguments, tension, and even divorce. If this happens, you not only lose the support of your partner, but you also have to deal with the stress of being single.

Mental Illness

Stress can be a major contributor to mental health problems like anxiety and depression. If left untreated, these conditions can become very serious. Anxiety and depression can lead to a whole host of other problems, like substance abuse, social isolation, and even suicide.

Trouble Sleeping

If you’re constantly stressed out, you might have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep. This is because your body is in a heightened state of alertness, which makes it difficult to relax. Lack of sleep can lead to other problems, like fatigue, irritability, and trouble concentrating.

Get Hurt More Easily

When you’re stressed, your body is in a constant state of tension. This can cause you to clench your teeth or tighten your muscles. Over time, this can lead to headaches, back pain, and even carpal tunnel syndrome.

Memory Problems

Chronic stress can damage the hippocampus, which is the part of the brain that controls memory. This can lead to problems with short-term memory, like forgetting where you put your keys or what you were going to say in a conversation. In severe cases, it can even lead to dementia.

Different Ways To Deal With Stress

It’s dangerous to just let stress fester. It can lead to all sorts of health problems, both mental and physical. That’s why it’s important to find ways to deal with stress effectively. Below are different ways to deal with stress properly.

Take Breaks Often

Most of the time, people try to just power through when they’re feeling stressed. They think that if they just tough it out, eventually the stress will go away — but that’s not really how it works. In fact, powering through usually makes things worse.

Instead of trying to push through, take breaks often. Get up and walk around for a few minutes. Take some deep breaths. Drink some water. Do whatever it takes to help the mind and body rest.

Talk To Someone

It can be helpful to talk to someone about stressful things. This is because the act of talking about stressful things can help decrease their impact. Talking to someone about stressful things can give you more perspective. Talking to a professional therapist is not always necessary; talking to friends and family members will suffice.

Write It Down

Writing down stressful events can help people process them and make them feel less daunting. This is because the act of putting down one’s thoughts on paper can serve as a form of catharsis. It can also help you look back and see how far you’ve come when things are tough.

Find a Hobby

Hobbies are a great way to take your mind off of things. When you’re focused on something you enjoy, it’s difficult to focus on anything else. If it’s hard to find a hobby, experimenting with different things can be a fun way to find something that sticks.

Exercise

Exercise is a great way to reduce stress. It gets the endorphins flowing, which can help improve your mood. Plus, it’s a great way to blow off some steam. Even just a short walk can make a big difference. However, it’s very important to not overdo exercise; too much exercise might do more harm than good.

Use Relaxation Techniques

There are all sorts of relaxation techniques you can use to deal with stress. Some people prefer to meditate, while others find deep breathing exercises helpful. There are even some apps you can download that will guide you through relaxation exercises. Trying out yoga can be helpful as well, since yoga has been shown to be beneficial for both the mind and body.

Try Massage Therapy

Massage therapy can be a great way to deal with stress. This is because massage therapy can help to relax the mind and body. It can also improve circulation and reduce muscle tension. If possible, it’s a good idea to try out different types of massage to see what works best.

For example, Swedish massage is a very popular type of massage that uses long, flowing strokes. A deep tissue massage is another popular type of massage that focuses on the deeper layers of muscle tissue. Purchasing a massage chair is also an option. In fact, learning how to buy a massage chair will unlock the benefits of massage therapy from the comfort of home.

How Do Massage Chairs Help With Stress?

Massage chairs are becoming a popular way to help with stress — but how do they work? Massage chairs can help reduce stress in three ways.

1. Improve Circulation

The first way is by improving your circulation. When you’re stressed, your blood vessels constrict, and your blood flow slows down. This can lead to headaches, fatigue, and even dizziness. Massage chairs can help to improve your circulation by gently massaging your muscles and increasing blood flow. Improved circulation will instantly help to reduce stress and make you feel more relaxed.

2. Reduce Muscle Tension

The second way massage chairs help with stress is by reducing muscle tension. When you’re stressed, your muscles tense up and can become very painful. Massage chairs can help to relieve this muscle tension by gently massaging your muscles and releasing the built-up tension. This can help to reduce the pain that you feel and make you feel more relaxed.

3. Improve Moods

Finally, massage chairs can help to improve your mood by releasing endorphins. Endorphins are the body’s natural painkillers, and they can also help to improve your mood. When you’re stressed, your body produces more of the stress hormone cortisol. This can lead to feelings of anxiety and depression. Massage chairs can help to reduce the amount of cortisol in your body and improve your mood by releasing endorphins.

How To Choose the Right Massage Chair

Learning how to purchase the right massage chair is important because it helps you maximize the health benefits that you receive from it. When choosing massage chairs, there are a few factors to consider. These include the type of massage, the intensity of the massage, and the size of the chair. These factors will all play a role in how effective the massage chair will be when you use it.

Final Thoughts

Even though stress will always come and go, it doesn’t have to control you. Identifying the stages of stress can help you become more aware of when you’re most vulnerable. By taking steps to reduce stress, you can improve your overall health and well-being. For example, using massage chairs regularly can help to relieve stress and tension. This guarantees that you always have a way to relax and unwind, no matter how busy your life gets.

Are you ready to start relieving your stress? Contact us today to check out our massage chairs!

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