The fight or flight response initiated in response to stressors in our lives is not suited for the modern lifestyles of most people. The stress we experience is normally not able to be resolved by fighting or fleeing. This results in constant stress reactions in our bodies that can have very detrimental effects. Chronic stress can influence symptoms of chronic disease such as diabetes and asthma as well as causing separate negative reactions such as gastrointestinal symptoms, fatigue, insomnia, weight gain, and many other possible symptoms. The solution is to find coping strategies to deal with stress and realizing each person is different. Each one of us must find the coping skills suited to our individual needs. The article goes into detail and provides an excellent description of analyzing individual stressors and developing appropriate strategies.
Key Takeaways:
- Stress has numerous triggers from including financial, work related, family related, and performance related worries. We often try to ignore stress and can overlook its effects on our health.
- Stress occurs when we are required to adapt to changes in our surroundings. It releases hormones to help you protect yourself from danger. When we’re not in physical danger stress stays internalized.
- Stress can aggravate conditions like asthma or cause them like headaches, and depression. Chronic stress can affect diet, appetite, and weight, poor sleep patterns, pain, and blood pressure.
“Feeling stressed can aggravate symptoms of asthma or diabetes, but it can also trigger other issues like headaches, depression or anxiety.”
