'What is stress and how it effects the body' is a common query that is heard
everywhere nowadays. The stress definition is very simple. When our body or mind
cannot meet the demands made upon them, stress arises! Let us explore more about
what stress is...
We always tend to think that stress is the
outcome of modern fast paced lifestyle. Nothing is far from the truth! Stress
has been an integral part of human survival since the beginning of time, right
from the time when Eve showed the forbidden apple to Adam. Even now these two
(Eve and the forbidden apple) are two important causes of stress :-)!
An optimum amount of stress indeed is a positive
force which helps us take up the challenges that life throws at us. But, like
everything else in this world, stress, when it passes a certain limit begin to
harm our body and mind- slowly but surely ravaging our systems provoking a chain
of neuro-immuno-chemical and biological effects on the body and psyche.
So, what is stress?
Researchers view stress as the psychological and
physiological condition that a person experiences when a situation is perceived
as threatening, harmful or demanding.
Stress Definition
Hans Selye, the father of modern stress research,
defined Stress as "any event which may make demands upon the organism, and set
in motion a non-specific bodily response which leads to a variety of temporary
or permanent physiological or structural changes".
Confusing stress definition? Concentrate on the three important
clauses:
-
Demands upon the organism: Stress calls
for action (response) from our body.
-
Non Specific Bodily Response: Whether the stress
inducing event is negative/harmful (death of a dear friend), or positive/exciting
(winning
a 1 million lottery), the physiological response of our body will be same!
Meaning, there is no specific response to a particular event. All events evoke
the same type of response, though the emotional intensity may vary.
-
Temporary or permanent physiological or
structural changes: The after effects of stress can cause either temporary or
permanent changes in our body. What these changes are we will see later.
Now
the most commonly accepted definition of stress
(by Richard S Lazarus) is
that "Stress is a condition or feeling experienced when a person
perceives that 'demands exceed the personal and social resources the
individual is able to mobilize."
The
stress response within us is part instinct and part the way we think
about it.
Also
perceptions and interpretations of stress vary from person to person.
Stress as a fight or flight physiological response may be good for the
individual up to a level
(eustress), but when it goes beyond the coping
capacity of the individual, it becomes distress.
