The general complaint of insomnia, stress, headache and stomach pain, are clear signs of the outbreak of stress in our daily lives, until it has become a problem of the times.

About 3 quarters of adults in the United States complain of stress.

Almost everyone experiences stress in some way, "but it's the way we deal with stress that makes a big difference to our overall health," says psychologist and family counseling expert Elizabeth Scott.

Although most types of stress are natural and do not fear them and disappear with the disappearance of their causes, chronic stress can cause fatigue, anxiety and depression, and have a dangerous effect on the body over time.

In order to live our lives better, we must know what exactly is stress?

And why do we feel it?

What are its types and symptoms?

How do we overcome it?

Psychologists' definition of stress

Elizabeth Scott defines stress, as "the body's response to anything that requires attention or action", and it comes from two areas of the brain;

They are: the amygdala, which controls feelings and emotions, and the hypothalamus, which secretes stress hormones.

Stress occurs when we feel frustrated, angry or anxious, due to external pressures or negative internal feelings that exhaust us, and lose our ability to deal with psychological or emotional stress.

This prompts the amygdala to send an urgent signal to the pituitary gland that there is a cause for distress, and it in turn accelerates the release of stress hormones (adrenaline and cortisol), "to raise the body's readiness for resistance, by increasing heart rate, breathing and blood pressure," according to psychologist Holly Schiff.

Reasons for feeling nervous

Psychologist Jaime Zuckerman says, "Tension is the language in which the body tells us that it is in fear or pain, regardless of whether it is real or imagined."

Financial and work concerns, emotional and marital problems, shocking and tragic events and disasters, are on top of the causes of stress.

Also, we can feel nervous in happy moments.

According to Holly Schiff, "Anything that places high demands on us and can be difficult or stressful - like getting married or having a baby - can make us nervous."

The four states of tension

According to Elizabeth Scott, stress comes in the form of 4 states:

  • Natural tension,

    which is positive, enjoyable and exciting tension.

    It keeps you active because it is associated with high adrenaline, and it generates a sense of accomplishment for you, when doing important but difficult things, such as competitions and competitions.

  • Acute stress,

    which we often encounter in daily life, causes us to be out of balance for moments.

    It happens quickly and often unexpectedly, and does not last long, such as arguing with someone, or taking an exam or job interview without adequate preparation, or even committing a speeding ticket.

  • Episodic acute stress,

    where a person suffers from repeated acute tension during the day, which makes him feel anxious, restless, and irritable, such as those who engage in dangerous and delicate work, or lead an unstable life.

  • Chronic stress: The

    most serious, often stemming from traumatic experiences, childhood trauma, the stress of a bad marriage, or an extremely stressful job.

    It seems endless and inevitable, and turns into a feature of a person’s life that feels draining, and causes serious health consequences that may include: insomnia, violent behavior, digestive problems, anxiety, depression, obesity, hair loss, hyperthyroidism, dental and gum disease, heart disease and diabetes cancer, and suicidal tendencies.

The four symptoms of stress

According to the two experts, Schiff and Zuckerman, stress can manifest in 4 different symptoms:

  • Emotional, such as anxiety, sadness, depression, anger, nervousness, feeling hopeless or helpless.

    Note that the pain caused by emotional stress can be stronger than that caused by some other types of stress.

    For example, stress that comes from a troubled relationship may cause a greater physical reaction, and a stronger sense of distress, than the stress of being busy at work.

  • Cognitive, such as forgetfulness, lack of focus, bad self-talk, low self-esteem, and negative comparison with others.

  • Behavioral, such as poor sleep habits, loss of appetite or binge eating, social isolation, poor self-care, and a lack of time or appetite for things you enjoy.

  • Physical, such as fatigue, chills, sweating, palpitations or a racing heart, shortness of breath, joint and muscle pain, high blood pressure, changes in weight, frequent colds or infections and infections.

How to deal with stress?

According to Schiff, "stress affects not only our mental health, but also our physical health," which increases the importance of treating or reducing it - especially in the case of any of the previously mentioned symptoms - through cognitive behavioral therapy that focuses on and emphasizes the positive It identifies and changes negative thoughts.

Mayo Clinic researchers also recommend deep breathing exercises and meditation, which can provide a sense of calm, peace and balance.

Maintaining a state of permanent activity to improve mood and relieve stress, and stimulate the secretion of endorphins and natural neurochemicals that enhance a sense of psychological well-being.

A healthy diet contains a combination of fruits, vegetables and whole grains.

Bathing, stretching and relaxing, getting enough sleep, making time for leisure, listening to music, socializing and connecting with relatives and friends.

Also, Zuckerman recommends seeing a doctor or mental health professional to get rid of stress, if it affects sleep or work, or causes chronic physical pain, depression or anxiety, or a feeling of helplessness, despair and the desire to self-harm.