With the dawn of the 21st century, many people have been experiencing an unprecedented amount of stress related to work, school, relationships, and social media. Stressed individuals may experience extreme fatigue and physical reactions such as headaches, body aches, and pains. The negative effects of stress can range from mood swings to increased anxiety levels to poor appetite. Stress can also increase a person’s vulnerability to self-indulgence or substance abuse to alleviate its effects on both mind and body.

As it relates to how we deal with stress in our lives today, many people turn away from traditional methods, including meditation or prayer, to reduce their stress levels. This article will discuss what stress means, what causes it, and how to manage it.

What is Stress?

It is a condition of mental or emotional strain or tension resulting from adverse or demanding circumstances. The best way to understand how stress can affect an individual is to relate it to something that happens in the human body. A more accurate description of stress may be best described as pressure on an individual’s body in reaction to a perceived threat. This perceived threat may come from internal sources such as negative self-image and low self-esteem or external sources such as sitting at one’s desk for eight hours trying to meet a deadline.

What are the Causes of Stress?

A vast range of external and internal situations can cause stress. Let’s explore a few of these to see how stress is triggered.

1. External stressors

Some external factors that may cause the body and mind to react in an unhealthy way are misfortune or loss, divorce, the death of a loved one, financial problems, the crime rate, or drug use. In addition to these stresses on the individual’s life, life in general may also be stressful, including a lack of sleep and job-related stress that comes with poor physical health.

2. Internal stressors

Internal stressors may be brought about by a process called “catastrophizing” or an overly pessimistic outlook on life. This type of thinking describes a person who sees every problem as the end of the world. In other words, a person may see one little setback as the end of their world or career. This type of thinking not only creates an unhealthy mindset during stressful times but also dramatically increases the likelihood that a person will engage in unhealthy behavior to deal with stress, such as abusing drugs, excessive alcohol, other substances, eating disorders, and even suicide.

How do We Manage Stress?

Managing stress may include several other methods aside from meditation, prayer, and talking to a friend. Healthy lifestyle habits such as eating well, exercising regularly, getting enough sleep, and engaging in other activities that produce pleasure can also reduce a person’s overall stress level. In addition, one should communicate effectively with friends and family to release the anxieties that may be stored inside them.

What are the Symptoms of Stress?

The symptoms include:

1. Increase in pulse rate

Individuals who experience stress often begin to notice that their pulse rises. This results from increased heart rate and blood pressure to produce more energy to move away from the perceived threat.

2.  Increased breathing rate

The American Institute of Stress often refers to this physical response as “hyperventilation syndrome.” When the body’s level of oxygen is compromised, the body begins to breathe faster to make up for the lost time.

3.   Loss of libido

This physical response in the body often includes decreased sexual desire or even impotence. Individuals experiencing stress may notice that their sexuality has been negatively affected. Stress also causes erectile dysfunction, hormonal imbalance, and sexually transmitted diseases.

a.   Hormonal imbalance

Stress hormones known as adrenalin and cortisol can often negatively impact the body’s ability to regulate important hormones such as testosterone. This may cause mood swings in females and males alike. 

b.  Sexually transmitted diseases

Stress can often cause an individual to be more vulnerable to sexually transmitted diseases such as gonorrhea and herpes. This is because stress hormones and other pre-existing physiological processes, such as “fertilization,” can increase a person’s chances of catching a sexually transmitted disease.

c. Causes of erectile dysfunction

It can cause erectile dysfunction in men. This is because stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol can increase a man’s chances of having erectile dysfunction. Stress can also cause impotence in women, although this is extremely rare.

4. Decrease in immune activity

This is a reaction that occurs in the body when the level of stress becomes elevated. It can cause a decrease in white blood cell count, which is often associated with weakening the immune system. This makes one prone to getting sick more often, which increases their chances of catching a cold or other diseases. 

5. Increase in muscle tension

Stress can cause an increase in muscular tension in the body. This is often related to hyperventilation syndrome. 

6. Lack of sleep

When a person’s body is stressed and requires more energy to function, they are less likely to get enough sleep. Not getting enough sleep can increase their chances of experiencing physiological processes leading to stress or depression, such as overeating and decreased testosterone levels. You may also be less able to cope with stress because you won’t feel refreshed and will take longer to recover from an illness or injury.

What is the Significance of Stress Management?

Managing stress may be very important to one’s psychological, emotional, physical, and social health and well-being. In some cases, stress may be so extreme that the individual may notice feelings of helplessness and hopelessness.

How do HGH and Stress relate?

HGH and stress may have a relationship because HGH is a chemical that increases in the body when one is stressed. In addition, it is known that HGH can promote weight loss and decrease fat, which may help alleviate some of the symptoms of stress.

How to Handle Stress

Dealing with stress is not only important, but it can also be therapeutic. As mentioned above, one of the greatest resources we have in our lives is our ability to cope with stress. It is important to remember that you can manage stress despite what life may throw at you.

When to See a Doctor

If you or someone you know is experiencing the symptoms of stress, it is important to make an appointment with a doctor for a comprehensive physical exam. It is also important to discuss your symptoms and concerns with your doctor to determine the cause of these conditions. Your doctor can recommend a treatment plan to alleviate some of the symptoms you may be experiencing as a result of your stress.