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What is stress?

Stress syndrome includes a set of physiological and psychological reactions appearing when the organism must adapt to a specific situation. In certain occasions, stress reactions are normal and useful. It is “good stress”. As example, the academic performances will be increased in the presence of a certain stress level, by stimulating alertness and concentration. This “good stress” supports then performances.

At the opposite, if the stress level is disproportionate during a specific situation, it will become a “bad stress”. A continuous stressful situation, which is impossible to manage or avoid, gives place to a chronic stress, which will have bad effects on the health condition of an individual.

People affected by “chronic stress” are generally unaware of what is going on. As examples, the traffic jam on the road, the lack of sleep, an irregular and incomplete food supply or an immoderate coffee drinking are often generating “bad stress” and “chronic stress”.

Clinical symptoms of stress:

Physical discomforts

- Appetite disorders
- Breathing disorders
- Digestive disorders
- Dizziness
- Headaches
- Important perspiration
- Insomnia
- Muscular tensions
- Repetitive infections
- Tiredness
- Tremor
- Weight gain

Emotional and mental discomforts

- Anxiety
- Drop of libido
- Depression
- Concentration disorders
- Weak self-esteem
- Difficulty to take decision
- Worry
- Irritability
- Melancholy
- Nervousness
- Memory loss

Behavioral discomforts

- Absenteeism
- Tobacco, caffeine, sugar, alcohol, and drugs craving
- Disorganization
- Demanding situations avoidance
- Negativism
- Tendency to stay alone

What happens exactly?

On physiological level, homeostasis (state of balance) mechanisms are very often requested in the presence of stress. The autonomic nervous system (our automatic pilot of several physiological functions) is continuously dealing with stress. The sympathetic nerve way prevails on the parasympathetic’s one. Blood flow is principally conveyed towards the brain and the muscles. Digestive and elimination processes become secondary.

Regarding the endocrinal system, adrenal glands are continuously requested. They secrete hormones including adrenalin, noradrenalin and cortisol. These hormones will increase the blood pressure, will generate cardiac rhythm and breathing rate and will raise the blood glucose level. These adaptation reactions permit to provide sufficient and constant energy to muscles and brain for effectively fight or avoid the stress source.

If the stress becomes disproportionate or chronic, if it is spread over a sustained period, the organism becomes exhausted. Adrenal hormonal secretions become insufficient and the organism is unable compensating for this energy expenditure. It is at this moment that emerges a greater vulnerability to different modern society discomforts and diseases: burn out, cardiovascular and immune diseases, type 2 diabetes, cancer, etc.

Stress sources:

Stress factors are numerous and belong to our everyday life habits. Accelerated life rhythm, competition, denatured environment and excessive psychic stimulation will exacerbate them.

Among these many factors of stress, there is the inadequate nutrition (refined, proceed and incomplete foods); digestive functions disturbances, (heartburn, constipation, diarrhea, gas, etc.); oxidative stress (free radical excesses compared to antioxidants); infectious agents (bacteria, virus, yeast, parasites); physical trauma (accident, surgery, chronic pain); environment pollutants exposure (pesticides, weed killers, industrial products, paintings, solvents, car gas exhaust, radiations) and heavy metals. Also, drugs intake, emotional and circadian rhythm disturbances as well as insufficient physical activity are important factors of stress.