Stress is our normal response to everyday pressures or demands perceived as threatening or dangerous, but chronic stress can lead to mental health problems and medical issues when not well-managed (1).
What causes stress?
Stress occurs due to brain chemicals called neurohormones (e.g., cortisol) surging through the body. These hormones make us sweat, breathe more quickly, and tense our muscles. Stress is, therefore, a threat to homeostasis, often countered by the ‘fight or flight’ response. The risk of mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and muscle tension increases with long-term stress. Medical complaints and diseases, including headaches, gastrointestinal disorders, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, stroke, weakened immune system, and delayed fertility, are also likely to increase (2).
Stressors
Usually, during childhood and adolescence, common stressors include exposure to violence, abuse (sexual, physical, emotional, or neglect), and divorce/marital conflict. In addition, exposure to war or terrorism during childhood may lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depressive symptoms (3).
In adulthood, major negative work or life events may result in burnout, anxiety, depression, or significant mental health complications such as financial issues, relationship breakups, work-related difficulties, injury/trauma, illness, or death. However, it is also important to watch out for major positive changes that could be stressors, such as work promotions, getting married, or buying a house. However, good stress management may improve your health and quality of life (4).
Symptoms: how does stress affect mental and emotional health
Symptoms may be physical (headaches, high blood pressure, fatigue), emotional (mood swings, irritability), cognitive (loss of memory, concentration or focus, inability to make decisions), or behavioral (social withdrawal, significant changes to sleeping or eating patterns, an increase in the use of caffeine, drugs, nicotine or alcohol, and low performance and productivity).
Stress Management
It is essential to note the stressors and apply appropriate good stress management processes and techniques. Good stress management may be beneficial, such as meditation, relaxation, mindfulness and breathing exercises, laughter, learning to take a break, good nutrition, and regular physical activity.
References
- Schneiderman N, Ironson G, Siegel SD. Stress and health: psychological, behavioral, and biological determinants. Annu Rev Clin Psychol. 2005;1:607-28. doi: 10.1146/annurev.clinpsy.1.102803.144141. PMID: 17716101; PMCID: PMC2568977.
- Marin MF et al. Chronic stress, cognitive functioning and mental health. Neurobiology of Learning and Memory. 2011, Volume 96, Issue 4, November 2011, Pages 583-595.
- Pearlin, L. I. (1999). Stress and mental health: A conceptual overview. In A. V. Horwitz & T. L. Scheid (Eds.), A handbook for the study of mental health: Social contexts, theories, and systems (pp. 161–175). Cambridge University Press.
- Joan I. Cohen (2000) STRESS AND MENTAL HEALTH: A BIOBEHAVIORAL PERSPECTIVE, Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 21:2, 185-202, DOI: 10.1080/016128400248185.
Bolaji Lilian Ilesanmi-Oyelere, PhD
Assistant Professor of Nutrition
College of Health Sciences
Abu Dhabi University