In society, any nervous disorder is considered to be stress, and its extreme manifestations are considered hysteria. From a medical point of view, hysteria and neurasthenia are mental disorders and are subject to correction by psychiatrists. However, the impact of stress on humans is not limited to neurological disorders.
The term “stress” appeared in medicine from physics, where it refers to the tension of a system due to a force applied from the outside.
The human body as a single system is daily under pressure from external factors. Stressors can be environmental reasons:
- Air pollution,
- Atmospheric pressure surges;
- Magnetic storms;
- Sudden changes in air temperature.
Medical stressors are any diseases (from traumatic injuries to infectious ones), social stressors are conflict situations in a team or society. The impact of stress on a person is great - it negatively affects physical and psychological health.
Medical aspects of stress
In 1926, the founder of the doctrine of stress, Hans Selye, published his observations of patients suffering from various diseases. The results were amazing: regardless of the disease, everyone experienced loss of appetite, muscle weakness, high blood pressure, loss of aspirations and desires.
Hans Selye called stress the same reaction of the body to any external influence.
The most powerful stressor, according to Hans Selye, is the lack of purpose. Also, in a state of physiological immobility, the human body is more susceptible to the development of diseases: stomach ulcers, heart attack, hypertension.
The influence of stress on a person changes living conditions. For example, with strong positive emotions, the vitality of the body increases sharply, this is ensured by increased blood pressure. A person, having realized his dream, feels a loss of appetite and muscle weakness - when exposed to negative emotions, a similar loss of strength is perceived very painfully.
Stress, in fact, is an innate reaction of the body that allows a person to adapt to life in new conditions. Therefore, in medicine it is called adaptation syndrome.
Stress and diabetes
Since the endocrine and nervous systems play equal roles in the adaptation of our body to environmental conditions, the emotional component in the development of diabetes mellitus has become one of the main issues for clinicians. This problem becomes especially relevant due to the fact that psychosomatic medicine is actively developing further in our time.
There are specialists among doctors who believe that when an emotional stressor begins to regularly affect the body, this causes the launch of nonspecific reactions, called general adaptation syndrome. As a result, diabetes mellitus, which previously occurred in a latent form, begins to manifest itself, and if there is a hereditary predisposition, under conditions of chronic stress it will always manifest itself sooner or later.
It is known that during stress there is a rapid activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary system. As a result, the hormones influence the body’s resistance to insulin and the beta cell (we are talking about its secretory defect). Since during stress due to an excited emotional state, glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis increase, a state of hyperglycemia occurs. The result is insulin resistance, as peripheral nerve receptors become less sensitive to insulin. Gradually, their number becomes smaller, and the reserves of beta cells are depleted.
The body's compensatory functions become weaker, and insulin secretion becomes less, due to chronic hyperglycemia.
Modern studies of patients hospitalized for the treatment of diabetes mellitus have repeatedly confirmed the connection between the occurrence of the disease and psychotraumatic factors. On average, this is about 76% of the total number of patients, while heredity in the vast majority is usually not burdened.
The impact of stress on human health
The development of stress in every person occurs according to a single mechanism. When it comes into contact with a stress factor, the central nervous system sounds an alarm. The body's further reaction is not controlled by the human will, but is carried out by the autonomic, independent nervous system. The mobilization of vital organs and systems that guarantee survival in extreme circumstances begins. Due to the stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system, breathing and heart rate increase, and blood pressure increases. The physiological effect of stress on human health ensures the centralization of blood circulation: lungs-heart-brain. The “flight and fight” hormones are released: adrenaline and norepinephrine. People experience dry mouth and dilated pupils. Muscle tone increases to such an extent that it is often manifested by trembling of the legs or arms, twitching of the eyelids and corners of the mouth.
With the further development of the adaptation syndrome, the influence of stress on human health is expressed in the body’s reaction of adaptation to new living conditions.
Completion
As you may have noticed, stress has both positive and negative properties. The main thing is that it does not turn into acute or chronic, when insomnia, irritability, apathy and a whole range of diseases actually occur, it is important to relieve tension in time and relax, rest, and recover.
You will find the most effective ways to deal with stress by following this link.
Good luck to you, take care of yourself and be happy!
The material was prepared by psychologist, Gestalt therapist, Alina Zhuravina
The effect of stress on the human body
In the active stage, hormones of the “second line of defense” appear - glucocorticoids. Their action is aimed at emergency survival at the expense of the body’s internal reserves: all liver glucose reserves are used, and their own proteins and fats break down.
If the reaction continues with depletion of vitality, the effect of stress on the person continues. The “alarm” mechanism is turned on again, but there are no internal reserves. This stage of stress is the final one.
During stress, all the body’s forces are directed to the work of the central organs: the heart, lungs and brain, so other vital organs at this time suffer from a lack of oxygen. In such conditions, the following may develop: stomach ulcers, hypertension, bronchial asthma, migraine-like pain, tumors of peripheral organs (cancer).
With a prolonged course, the effect of stress on the human body is manifested not only by the development of diseases, but also by depletion of the nervous system. This condition is medically called neurasthenia. Neurosthenics experience pain in all organs, but most of all, in the head. The person understands that his nervous strength is depleted and considers this condition to be chronic fatigue syndrome. From the point of view of pathological physiology, this is nothing more than a protracted adaptation reaction.
Stress and pressure
Stress often causes the development of hypertension. The triggering of pathological mechanisms in this case is ensured by the same hormone adrenaline, which is released in excess by the adrenal glands into the bloodstream. As mentioned earlier, short-term stressful events, accompanied by high levels of adrenaline in the blood, help overcome difficult life situations (the hormone increases attentiveness, vigilance and activity). If such phenomena occur constantly, this leads to very bad consequences.
Excess adrenaline gradually accumulates in the muscles, and it can only be removed through physical activity. Since in megacities people are often subject to physical inactivity, adrenaline, while continuing to affect the heart and blood vessels, contributes to a stable increase in blood pressure. Over time, hypertension “becomes a habit” and at first people don’t even feel it.
It is recommended to get out of a stressful situation by doing at least a minimum of physical exercise. A favorite job or hobby can also be a salvation, reducing the risk of developing hypertension. A persistent increase in blood pressure already requires regular use of medications in order to avoid the development of a heart attack or stroke in the future.
The influence of stress on the human condition
The general tone, that is, the mood of people depends on hormonal levels. Having set a specific goal, a person wakes up feeling full of strength for any achievement. The psychological mood is set by cortisol, the main anti-stress hormone. Its content in the blood in the morning varies greatly depending on the mood for the coming day. Under normal conditions, on the eve of a working day, the level of anti-stress hormone is much higher than on a day off.
When the influence of stress on a person’s condition reaches a critical level, the morning does not bode well for anything pleasant. Therefore, the entire day is considered “ruined.”
A person is deprived of a sense of correct assessment of what is happening. Surrounding events and influences are perceived inappropriately to their strength. Excessive demands on others, for example, on yourself, are often not justified. Often, the influence of stress on a person aggravates the course of chronic diseases. They begin to escalate, as they say, “out of schedule.” Not in autumn and spring, during periods of planned therapeutic measures, but in winter and summer.
Restoring the body after a stress disorder
Depending on the degree of disturbance, therapeutic measures may vary. Sometimes it is necessary to carry out drug treatment to normalize the psychological state. In other cases, it is recommended to rest so that the body can recover from increased stress and normalize the emotional background.
The following measures may help:
- Emotional release. The method helps to get rid of negativity without entering into conflict with others. The methods may vary. For some people, just shouting in a private place is enough. Anti-stress dolls help you get emotional release.
- Physical exercise. Strong workouts allow you to get rid of excess energy, stabilize your psycho-emotional background and improve your overall tone. However, it is important to avoid overexertion.
- Creation. Allows you to free yourself from negative emotions and relax. You can purchase special coloring books or take up your favorite hobby.
- Communication with animals. Pets help you calm down and relax. Tactile contact allows you to normalize hormonal levels.
- Consultation with a psychologist. A specialist will not only give recommendations for recovery, but also help you believe in yourself and get rid of worries.
- Meditation, breathing exercises, yoga and other relaxing practices. Moderate exercise helps change hormonal levels.
The choice of method depends on individual character traits. The help of others is of great importance during rehabilitation. It is advisable to talk and spend time with family members more often. This will help you get closer and feel a sense of security.
The influence of stress on human behavior
In an unstable state, aspirations and goals are chosen by a person, without taking into account his own capabilities. Any desire to achieve something, essentially a negative emotion, becomes positive when the desired result is achieved. If the goal remains unattainable, the emotion becomes a strong stressor.
In extreme conditions, the influence of stress on human behavior is especially noticeable, depending on the initial state of health and temperament, as a character trait. Under the same conditions, people with different attitudes towards the surrounding reality behave completely differently. According to Pavlov’s classification, there are four types of higher nervous activity, weak (melancholic) and three strong, but with some features:
- Unbalanced, reacting to any influence with a violent reaction - choleric;
- Balanced, inert – phlegmatic;
- Agile and balanced - sanguine.
The influence of stress on a person of different types of higher nervous activity is not the same. Strange as it may seem, unbalanced people endure stress most easily. The effect of stress factors on such a person ends with the level of the body’s primary response. Whereas in balanced people, stress goes into the second phase of adaptation, and then leads to exhaustion.
History of origin
Physiologist Walter Cannon was the first to note the changes that occur in the body due to exposure to stimuli around the early 1900s. He discovered that in response to frustration, adrenaline begins to be actively released from the adrenal medulla.
Moreover, frustration can be completely different, ranging from hunger to fear from a sharp sound.
Useful exercises to relieve stress
Purple color in human psychology - what does it mean who likes it?
Anyone who knows from personal experience what stress is understands perfectly well that it is not easy to survive. In this case, sports will help, because physical activity suppresses mental activity. The brain is initially focused on the dominant (problem), then shifts towards physical exercises. Relaxing techniques help relieve stress.
Autogenic relaxation
The author of this technique is J. Schulz. He highlighted several key exercises:
- passive concentration on breathing, coolness;
- muscle relaxation;
- initiation of cardiac activity.
Yoga for breathing
It helps to quickly recover from stress, post-traumatic disorders, neuroses, depression and insomnia. Certified experts recommend doing the following:
- close your nostril with one finger;
- slowly inhale through the other nostril;
- then close the other nostril, releasing the first, and exhale slowly;
- Perform these manipulations several times for 5-10 minutes.
Making a short course project or notes on psychology is not an easy task even for those who have a diploma
Visualization
Virtual images are created in the head , thanks to which people make a mental journey to some place that is calm and comfortable for the soul. For maximum relaxation, you need to use as many senses as possible (smell, sound of the surf, etc.). Having understood yourself and recognized the etiology of stress, getting rid of such a problem is quite simple. It is necessary to influence the problem that has arisen in a targeted manner.
How to cope with stress
Stress is considered the root cause of decreased life expectancy; people in a state of constant stress cannot even perform daily duties. And what would be good to learn is to respond adequately to difficulties.
Here it is important not to change life conditions sharply, not to give up routine, familiar activities. Their monotony has a beneficial effect on mood.
It is preferable to start the day with physical activity . Yoga and meditation, tai chi and other techniques proven over centuries will help. Adequate, long rest is very important.
Particular attention should be paid to nutrition . The menu should be formed from low-calorie and fresh food, filled with vitamins and nutrients. The amount of caffeine, nicotine and alcohol should be reduced to the minimum possible doses.
Communication often becomes a balm for the soul . It is necessary to regularly visit theaters, live music concerts, and museums. You need to find what brings you joy and enjoy life.
To work, as to a parade?
Work is a real breeding ground for dangers:
- if you go to it as someone sentenced to extreme punishment, this in itself is a source of chronic dissatisfaction;
- the boss, at the sight of whom the “St. Vitus dance” spontaneously begins, will make a hole in your stress resistance in five minutes;
- colleagues who climbed the career ladder above you are boors who undermine self-esteem;
- the overwhelming fear of job loss and financial ruin turns life into hell and keeps you in a state of constant tension.
The most important thing is the weather in the house
You can get a “stress hit on the forehead” without leaving your apartment. Your own fortified home is fraught with countless health risks. There are thousands of reasons for permanently ruining the “weather in the house”:
- Busyness, workload, career growth - all this leaves little time for full communication within the family, and cracks form in it.
- Spouses have no time to delve into each other's problems and joys . There is no time to raise a child. On this basis, quarrels, scandals and mutual accusations break out. This does not improve health, but gradually leads to slow physical and mental exhaustion.
- Money constraints, family planning, issues of raising children , mutual grievances and misunderstandings, physical or emotional violence within the family, adultery, divorce - this is the soil on which intra-family stress flourishes.
Positive reactions
Despite the fact that there is little belief in the miraculous beneficial consequences of the difficulties experienced, they exist. So what's good:
Development
Increased adrenaline levels call for active action. It is difficult to sit still and try to relax at such a moment. And by acting, a person can easily cope with the problem itself that caused unnecessary stress.
In addition, it often happens when a person is able to become more active and perform actions only under the influence of emotional shock. That is, she develops, advances, and achieves success by stepping out of her comfort zone, trying new things, and trying to creatively adapt to change.
So we can safely say that frustration is the engine of progress. Few people have made brilliant discoveries while living a measured and calm life, spending their free time on the couch. No, usually some difficulties push you to look for solutions that will help improve the situation.
Strengthening relationships
Besides the fact that in a moment of anger a person is capable of destroying everything that he has managed to build and create, problems, in fact, can bring people closer together. Usually it is when we get into trouble that we understand whether we can trust a friend or not. Then it becomes clear who you can rely on and who it’s better not to cross paths with.
Therefore, it is the one who lends a helping hand in difficult times that is valuable. We want to be useful to him in return, the level of trust grows, intimacy, and accordingly, the connection strengthens, forming friendly, loyal and valuable relationships for many years.
Self-esteem
If you manage to emerge victorious from trouble, to cope with any difficulty, a person feels respect for himself. He understands that he can be confident that he can withstand a lot and come up with a solution to even a very difficult problem.
And self-confidence pushes you to take risks, achieve achievements and take action.
In addition, positive experience allows you to withstand more serious situations in the future.
Stages of stress development
Mobilization
At this stage, the person experiences anxiety, the pulse rises, along with blood pressure, and breathing quickens. All attention is concentrated on the source of danger, the irritant.
There are situations when consciousness narrows, that is, a person does not notice anything around him at all, loses the sense of time and himself in space. For example, this happens to women during childbirth. Minutes can feel like hours and vice versa.
The instinct of self-preservation is triggered, all the body's resources are mobilized to fight back the offender or escape, in general, to survive.
If the stimulus weakens its influence, the anxiety subsides and the condition gradually returns to normal.
Resistance
If the threat does not disappear, the stage of resistance begins. It is during this period that a person adapts to new circumstances. His body uses all its resources, even those that were “reserve,” just to cope with the danger.
Disorganization
Gradually, resources run out, resulting in exhaustion, both physical and psychological. The body is no longer able to resist and it urgently needs to replenish its reserves of energy and strength.
It is during this period that chronic diseases make themselves felt and new ones appear.
