Stress is something that affects all living things and it often occurs when we encounter sudden changes in our lives which force us to learn how to adapt and adjust to countless undesired, unanticipated situations. Unfortunately, if we do not learn how to resist chronic stress, our natural chemical process will eventually reach “the exhaustion stage, at which point all the stores of deep energy are depleted, and disintegration and death follows” (Wood, Wood, Boyd. 2006, p. 316). In order to prevent illnesses due to stress, it is highly important to learn about the consequences of stress, to learn how to cope with stress, and to consider how to reduce stress from our daily lives.
The human body is equipped to deal with stress; however, long-term stress can take a toll on our physical health. It arouses hormones which secrete throughout the glands of the body, creating a stress hormone called “cortisol,” but eventually the cortisol production will diminish if the body experiences chronic stress (Stangor, 2013). As a result of the diminished cortisol production, the immune system begins to deteriorate, effecting the healing process and leaving the body vulnerable to several types of afflictions, such as colds, cancer, and heart disease. Unfortunately, some of these types of afflictions due to stress can produce fatal consequences.
All people experience stress, but men and women typically differ in how they respond to it. Men tend to express an emotional behavior called “fight-or-flight response,” where they either respond aggressively, or withdraw from the situation. Whereas women tend to seek protection by discussing their problems with others, a term called “tend-and-befriend response.” But some of the approaches that people take to dealing with stress, such as the “fight-or-flight response” are not very effective. As an example, ignoring stress might work temporarily, but studies have shown that it will eventually become ineffective because the problem will still remain. Therefore, an effective way to deal with stress is by “simply talking about or writing about our emotions or our reactions to negative events [because studies have found that it] provides substantial health benefits” (Stangor, 2013, p. 306). Another effective way to cope with stress is to gain support by expressing your troubles to others (tend-and-befriend response).
An interesting cognitive theory of stress is that of Richard Lazarus’s. His theory “contends that it is not the stressor that causes stress, but rather a person’s perception of it. According to Lazarus, when people are confronted with a potentially stressful event, they engage in a cognitive process that involves a primary and a secondary appraisal” (Wood et al. 2006, p. 316). Therefore, reactions to stressors may depend on whether the person perceives them as a challenge or a threat.
Optimistic people are commonly known to effectively cope with and reduce stress because their positive expectations and attitudes obstruct the effects of negative circumstances. Studies have revealed three main qualities that people who effectively manage high-pressure jobs have, which are “commitment, control, and challenge,” also known as “hardiness…Hardy individuals feel a strong sense of commitment to both their work and their personal live; they see themselves not as victims of whatever life brings, but as people who have control over consequences and outcomes” (Wood et al. 2006, p. 323). In other words, when a hardy person is faced with a new challenge, they eat it for breakfast.
Studies also show that people who have religious faith are also known to resist stress. It provides social support that some people might not have otherwise. However, any type of social support is important to have because it can “involve tangible aid, information, advice, as well as emotional support; it can also be viewed as the feeling of being loved, valued, and cared for by those toward whom we feel a similar obligation” (Wood et al. 2006, p. 323).
Stress can have fatal consequences, and it is highly important to learn about the consequences of stress, to learn how to cope with stress, and to consider how to reduce stress in order to live happy and healthy lives. Stressful situations will always occur throughout our lives; however, stress can and should be managed in order to improve the quality of everyday life and to prevent early death.
References:
Stangor, C. (2013). Introduction to Psychology. Irvington, NY: Flat World Knowledge.
Wood, S.E., Wood, E.G., Boyd, D. (2006). Mastering the World of Psychology. Boston: Pearson Education.
The human body is equipped to deal with stress; however, long-term stress can take a toll on our physical health. It arouses hormones which secrete throughout the glands of the body, creating a stress hormone called “cortisol,” but eventually the cortisol production will diminish if the body experiences chronic stress (Stangor, 2013). As a result of the diminished cortisol production, the immune system begins to deteriorate, effecting the healing process and leaving the body vulnerable to several types of afflictions, such as colds, cancer, and heart disease. Unfortunately, some of these types of afflictions due to stress can produce fatal consequences.
All people experience stress, but men and women typically differ in how they respond to it. Men tend to express an emotional behavior called “fight-or-flight response,” where they either respond aggressively, or withdraw from the situation. Whereas women tend to seek protection by discussing their problems with others, a term called “tend-and-befriend response.” But some of the approaches that people take to dealing with stress, such as the “fight-or-flight response” are not very effective. As an example, ignoring stress might work temporarily, but studies have shown that it will eventually become ineffective because the problem will still remain. Therefore, an effective way to deal with stress is by “simply talking about or writing about our emotions or our reactions to negative events [because studies have found that it] provides substantial health benefits” (Stangor, 2013, p. 306). Another effective way to cope with stress is to gain support by expressing your troubles to others (tend-and-befriend response).
An interesting cognitive theory of stress is that of Richard Lazarus’s. His theory “contends that it is not the stressor that causes stress, but rather a person’s perception of it. According to Lazarus, when people are confronted with a potentially stressful event, they engage in a cognitive process that involves a primary and a secondary appraisal” (Wood et al. 2006, p. 316). Therefore, reactions to stressors may depend on whether the person perceives them as a challenge or a threat.
Optimistic people are commonly known to effectively cope with and reduce stress because their positive expectations and attitudes obstruct the effects of negative circumstances. Studies have revealed three main qualities that people who effectively manage high-pressure jobs have, which are “commitment, control, and challenge,” also known as “hardiness…Hardy individuals feel a strong sense of commitment to both their work and their personal live; they see themselves not as victims of whatever life brings, but as people who have control over consequences and outcomes” (Wood et al. 2006, p. 323). In other words, when a hardy person is faced with a new challenge, they eat it for breakfast.
Studies also show that people who have religious faith are also known to resist stress. It provides social support that some people might not have otherwise. However, any type of social support is important to have because it can “involve tangible aid, information, advice, as well as emotional support; it can also be viewed as the feeling of being loved, valued, and cared for by those toward whom we feel a similar obligation” (Wood et al. 2006, p. 323).
Stress can have fatal consequences, and it is highly important to learn about the consequences of stress, to learn how to cope with stress, and to consider how to reduce stress in order to live happy and healthy lives. Stressful situations will always occur throughout our lives; however, stress can and should be managed in order to improve the quality of everyday life and to prevent early death.
References:
Stangor, C. (2013). Introduction to Psychology. Irvington, NY: Flat World Knowledge.
Wood, S.E., Wood, E.G., Boyd, D. (2006). Mastering the World of Psychology. Boston: Pearson Education.