50 Types of Stress

The impact of stress on our lives has been increasing for over 80 years. Currently, 77% of people in our society suffer from physical symptoms and 73% from psychological symptoms - caused by stress. The most common reasons for this are conflicts in the work environment, financial problems, and our everyday fast-paced lifestyle. This, it must be said, is however only the tip of the iceberg. Do we have methods with which we can manage stress in our lives? Are these methods even beneficial to us?

In 1936, Hans Selye, a physiotherapist and endocrinologist, attempted to define stress as "the nonspecific response of the body to any demand for change." Nevertheless, such a definition is rather broad and imprecise. It is no wonder that the same doctor said in an interview: "Everyone knows what stress is, but nobody really knows much about it."

Although it is difficult for us to determine the nature of stress, we can nonetheless understand its negative effects on life through many individual experiences.

The Effects and the Balance of Losses

According to a study by the American Institute of Stress, the number of illnesses associated with excessive tension is very large. The literature cites some examples from the field of immunology, cardiology, and neurology - such as headaches, gastrointestinal problems, muscle tension, heart palpitations, teeth grinding, overeating, or food aversion. As a result, the most common psychological signals of exceeding the acceptable stress level are initially nervousness, chronic anxiety, lack of energy, a tendency to cry, and even insomnia, which can also affect younger people. As for the latter group, researchers have conducted many studies - particularly regarding the effects on the development of children born to overburdened mothers. It appears to be proven that a pregnancy full of stress, depending on its severity, has an enormous impact on the formation of an unborn child's nervous system and immune system. The extent of the problem is also reflected in the annual profit losses of American employers, which are due to their employees being sick due to stress and unable to work. This amount has been estimated at 300 trillion dollars.

All You Need is Sleep

We have all heard of stress; recognize its most common symptoms and cannot deny its effects on younger generations. We also have many clues as to how we can eliminate it. But do we really know how to remove stress from our lives? It turned out that this will probably never be completely possible despite the greatest efforts. Stress has always been a part of our lives. Research typically distinguishes between "good" stress and "bad" stress. The good version, eustress, is motivating and expands our abilities. Problems arise when we encounter this stress too frequently; the dividing line is very thin from every direction and depends on individual factors. According to experts, this line is also crossed very quickly. So what should we do to avoid excessive stress? Sleep is our body's natural defense mechanism. Unfortunately, permanent tension disrupts this rest and the falling asleep process, which leads to an elevated CHR hormone level and thus contributes to the inability to enter deep sleep mode. According to researchers, this problem can be alleviated through the use of heavier blankets or accessories with special filling. Research in this area has shown that blankets or pillows with weighted filling, which weigh approximately 10% of the user's body weight, have a calming effect, lower cortisol levels, and improve a person's overall health. Furthermore, it is a good idea to reduce daily caffeine consumption and remove electronic devices from the bedroom. It is also important to remember to slow down the pace of life occasionally.

Let us not forget that it is best to eliminate the sources of stress rather than to seek countermeasures.