Stress is something that all of us experience all along our lives. Psychosocial stress, a perceived challenge to wellbeing, is an indispensable and influential part of life. Stress has been explained in context of the biomedical, psychosocial and sociological perspectives. There are different models of stress which are complimentary to each other.
Wayne Weiten described stress as any circumstance that threatens or is perceived to threaten one’s wellbeing and that thereby taxes one’s coping abilities. Stress has been conceptualised in the literature as either a stimulus (the cause), a response (the result) or as a process (in itself) combining both stimulus and response.
Stress, thus, refers both to an event and the consequences of that event. It subsumes two components: stressors (stressful events) and stress response (strain).
The Lazarus theory has been the main psychologically oriented theory stress. Two concepts are central to any stress theory, appraisal, that is, Individuals ‘evaluation of the significance of what is happening for their well-being, and coping, that is, individual’s efforts in thought and action. Stress is viewed as a relationship between Individuals and their environment.
Impact of Stress on Health
Whenever an individual is faced with stress it generates response in it. This response is a complex combination of multiple components including emotional (depression, anger, rage, anxiety); physiological (fight-flight, resistance, exhaustion); behavioural (coping strategies, defence mechanisms) factors. As per Hans Seyle’s, GAS (General Adaptation Syndrome) alarm is the first stage. When the threat or stressor is identified or realised, the body’s stress response is in a state of alarm. This stage is characterised by the fight-or-flight response followed by the stage of resistance. However, there is a limit to body’s ability to resist and consecutively its resources are gradually depleted. This leads to the third stage of stress response that is exhaustion.
Contrary to popular belief, stress need not always be bad. In fact, there are two types of stress, namely good stress or eustress which provides motivation, stimulation and challenge and is essential for development, growth and change. The other is bad stress or distress that makes one anxious and irritable, dampens the spirit due to its adverse psychological and physical effects.
The human response to psychosocial stress is directly implicated in hypertension and subsequent vascular diseases. It is also implicated in reduced Immune function, complicated pregnancies, reduced fertility, gastrointestinal disease and psychiatric conditions. Every Individual deals with the situation depending on their capacity. The psychosocial stress increases arterial pressure and also been linked to chronic renal and cardiovascular disease, including hypertension. Long term effects of social challenges on a number of physiological and behavioural parameters have also been reported, mainly involving the daily rhythms of heart rate and body temperature, food intake and social activity. Stress also alters the immune functions and the mediators of the immune response in the body.
Measurement of stress
There have been three main approaches to the measurement of stress: life events, chronic stressors and daily hassles or uplifts. Events such as birth of the first child, divorce or death of a significant other are examples of life events. Chronic stressors are relatively enduring, persistent or recurrent demands, conflicts, threats, or problems which require readjustments over prolonged periods of time. Hassles and uplifts are mini-events, which require small behavioural adjustments during the course of the day(for example, traffic jams).
Solution Focussed Techniques
Various cognitive and behavioural approaches like CBT can be used to manage the stress and overcome its adverse effects. Stress Management training, self-observation, cognitive restructuring, relaxation training, mindfulness techniques, time management and conflict management skills have been used in management of stress. The social and personal constructs proposed include social support, sense of coherence, hardiness, self-efficacy and optimism.
Coping Strategies
Getting ready for Coping Strategies to combat Stress:
Get the thoughts out of your head and on to a paper.
- After writing down your thoughts, responsibilities and concerns, your mind will be free to think of solutions instead of getting more entangled in the confusion.
- Personality also makes a difference, minor problems may cause stress to some and not to others.
- The first step is to recognise stress. Acknowledging the problem means that you are ready to deal with it and half the battle is won.
In this way it is possible to increase the tolerance that you have for stress and learn the mechanism with which to cope when you need to relax.