Stress – Out of 101 definitions, I will attempt to define those that travelers, athletes, and people interested in health and fitness can relate to.
In 1930 Physician by the name of Walter Cannon stamped it by saying : any process that living things use to actively maintain fairly stable conditions necessary for survival .
Have you ever heard of Homeostasis is derived from the Greek word “steady”.
There are two types of homeostasis: negative and positive. The negative type is a decrease in the internal environment to match external conditions, while the positive type is an increase in the internal environment to match external conditions. . This can be seen with hibernation in mammals, the decrease in body temperature and energy stores that occur during this process. Another example of negative homeostasis is strychnine poisoning, which decreases muscle activity, blood flow and metabolic rate to prevent further damage to vital organ systems.
Positive homeostasis is achieved by increasing the internal environment to match external conditions. These systems are found in a variety of different organisms, including plants and animals.
An example is the seed. When an animal eats the seed, it releases enzymes that digest proteins, sugars and fats while also degrading plant tissues. This gives the seedling access to nutrients that were previously unavailable to it. .
What we should try to achieve is positive homeostasis.
WHAT IS STRESS?
Stress is a condition that happens when people are always under pressure and have a bad physical or mental reaction to it. It is a normal psychological and physical response to a real or imagined threat.
The amount of stress in one’s life can affect how well the body handles stress and recovers from stress. Anxiety, depression, irritability, anger, and cognitive impairment are some of the psychological effects of stress (i.e., difficulty concentrating). Stress causes an increase in heart rate and blood pressure, as well as an increase in the rate of breathing, muscle tension, and perspiration. Previous research has shown that stressful life events and chronic stress can both increase the risk of developing major depressive disorder (MDD). This study looked into the role of cortisol reactivity in the relationship between a stressful life event and MDD. Cortisol rises in response to stress because it helps people cope with the risks associated with such challenges. Some aspects of daily stress may actually improve brain function, according to a study published in the journal “Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews.” According to the findings of the study, both acute and chronic stress responses have a positive impact on cognitive performance in people who are stressed in their daily lives.
“In recent years, it has been proposed that increased cortisol levels induced by acute emotional or physical challenges may facilitate an adaptive neural reorganization with long-term positive outcomes, such as improved memory,” according to the Mayo Clinic website. However, because cortisol levels fluctuate from one stressor to another, cortisol levels in individuals who experience more than one stressor at a time can be difficult to measure. This makes it difficult for researchers and doctors to determine whether a person’s increased brain volume is permanent or temporary. “Some research suggests that there may be an increase in gray matter and white matter, allowing the person to have more connectivity in the brain and learn and improve their memory.” However, other research suggests that some of these changes are only temporary and will disappear if people stop playing video games or return to their previous level of play.
“Another way people improve their cognition is by developing a cognitive reserve.” This is the idea that an individual can have certain skills or knowledge that allow them to cope better with things like aging or dementia.
I have decided to share this photo of myself chilling and trying to be calm with new stressors while I was in a cage with two tigers for about 45 minutes. Please don’t try this as it was my personal decision, knowing the dangers that come with it, as I coach competition preparedness for combat sports athletes, extreme sports athletes, and tennis players I have always believed in “walking the talk.” This is especially true when coaching clients, elite athletes, or when working with my personal life. In future articles, you’ll see a picture of me with sharks to cope with psychological and physiological stress.
THE NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF STRESS :
We all know that stress is not good for us. It can lead to many physical and mental health problems. Stress has been linked to high blood pressure, an increased risk of heart attack and stroke, depression, anxiety, headaches, and stomach aches, when its comes to sports it is linked with decrease performance and increasing the chances of injury.
The negative effect of stress on your body is very clear but the same can’t be said about its effect on your fitness. It turns out that chronic stress can actually lead to weight gain and obesity because it increases appetite by increasing levels of the hormone cortisol and list is endless
COMMON STRESS INDUCED CONDITIONS
Anxiety and depression are both mental illnesses that are a result of a chemical imbalance in the brain. This imbalance can also be caused by an event or series of events that have happened to the person.
There are many different symptoms of these two mental illnesses, but some common ones include:
- Feeling sad or down
- Feeling irritable
- Having difficulty concentrating
- Losing interest in things you used to enjoy
- Experiencing changes in sleep patterns, such as not being able to sleep at all or sleeping too much
- Struggling with cross words
- Having difficulty following conversations or understanding other people
- Decrease Sex drive
- Loosing appetite
- Lacking energy
If you experience any of the above without delay consult your Doctor or Clinical Psychologist for advice.
12 TIPS TO MANAGE STRESS
Stress management is a complex issue, but there are some simple steps that you can take to help reduce the stress in your life.
- Taking time for yourself and doing things you enjoy
- Identifying and avoiding high-stress situations
- Learning how to say no to people when needed
- Learning how to relax when needed
- Listening to your body
- Being aware of the triggers that cause you stress
- Making time for friends and family
- Practicing self care
- Writing down personal goals-staying positive
- Exercising, Breathing & Meditation
- Writing down personal goals
- Eating a healthy natural & organic food