The Effects of Stress

Though a number of the effects of stress are still passionately disputed within the medical and psychological communities, there are a few that are generally decided on. Rapid heartbeat, raised blood pressure, a rise in blood sugar level (and a lower digestive rate) are just a small number of the physiological effects of stress.

The psychological effects of stress, though occasionally more slight, are imperative too. Increased stress, particularly when it continues over time, often leads to petulance. An individual will be more hot blooded and easy to infuriate. He or she will be more intolerant and more prone to be afraid of the future while feeling less competent to deal with the present day. People who are stressed out are inclined to find it more difficult to focus and have greater problems making rational choices.

These two areas are not dissimilar. The hypothalamus and the pituitary gland are two brain mechanisms that guide the charge throughout taxing events. They discharge a material called ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone) that arouses the adrenal gland, near the kidney, to release cortisol. Natural quantities of cortisol increase and decrease throughout the day, but a surplus can add to the "flight or fight" reaction that we feel during stress.

That can lead to neck muscle strain, stomach and bowel distress and a mass of other effects. There are reports that propose that if the traumatic stress disorder perseveres, it can bring about a deteriorating immune system. That plays a role in recurrent colds and other unpleasant health effects.

Long term stress can produce a shortened attention span, less competent memory recall, poor objectivity and other cognitive troubles. As dismal thoughts dash around the psyche, there is less motivation on resolving life's every day trials in sane manner. Grumpiness, difficult to deal with rage, uncalled-for feelings of discrimination and other emotional consequences often ensues.

The consequences of this are too often despair, indifference, weeping in the lack of a exact reason, intensified worry of a catastrophe and an general feeling of misfortune. But those are effects of chronic stress and they are by no means bound to happen.

There is on occasion a fierce sequence set up. The battle between "I must" and "I can't," which is an indispensable factor in stress, can lead to greater odds that, certainly, one actually can't. That loss of self-confidence in one's value in dealing with life's trials can turn out to be a self-fulfilling prophecy. But that too is not unavoidable.

By concentrating on the things that led to stress and realistically assessing them while maintaining a sense of perspective about their consequences, stress can be decreased and even removed before it grows to be a constant dilemma. That, in turn, helps lessen the occasions when a slight dilemma leads to major effects of stress, even in the short term.

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