What Type of Stress Do You Suffer From? – Eustress vs. Stress

Whenever you feel overwhelmed and up against the wall, do you get the old familiar stress headache or stress backache which you get as a stress response to a stressful situation? Before you let yourself get all stressed out, take time to think about what type of stress you’re feeling.
According to psychologists there are two types of stress: Eustress and Stress. These two types of stress are as different as two sides of the same coin. The one type of stress is good for you and the other type of stress is harmful to your body.

The first type of stress, the good type of stress is eustress. It keeps you excited about life. Eustress is basically a desirable form of stress which is healthful and gives a feeling of contentment.

So how do you identify eustress? Here are some examples:
1.    Thrill experienced while watching a horror movie
2.    Excitement of winning a race
3.    Accomplishing a challenge
4.    Joy experienced on a roller-coaster ride
5.    Happiness felt on the birth of a baby
6.    Excitement while getting wedded
7.    A man’s shaking hand as he produces an engagement ring
8.    Buying a new car and many more

The other type of stress is Stress, which on the other hand, is anxiety, fear, frustration and an overcoming sense of dread. Burnout stress happens as an effect of stress from working too long under a stressful environment. Continual exposure to stressful situations and people whose demands become stressful to you results in the negative type of stress.

There’s nothing useful about stress. After all, stress and heart disease are related. Stress can be a cause for a heart attack, stroke or an emotional breakdown.  Have you ever said ‘stress does you good?’ or ‘I work better under stress?’ Then you haven’t asked your immune system how it feels to be stressed out.

Stress is also referred to as distress, as stress anxiety, as severe strain or as mental suffering resulting from exhaustion or an accident.

Some of the events that lead to distress are:
1.    Emotional stress due to death of loved ones
2.    Work related stress
3.    Discontent in relationships
4.    Financial stress tension
5.    Unfulfilled desires

Living under stressful conditions for long periods of time has damaging effects to your immune system. Have you ever noticed how you’re more inclined to catch a cold whenever you feel extreme stress due to being overworked than when you aren’t stressed out?
That’s a perfect example of how the immune system can’t deal with your stressful load and have enough left over to fight a stress illness.

Manage stress! Learn to stop and analyze your stress. One effective stress coping technique is to write in a journal. Reflect and write down your answer to these stress related questions:

1.    What causes you to feel stress?
2.    Where are you when you feel the most stress?
3.    Who is with you when you’re feeling the stress tension?
4.    What were you doing when you were feeling stressed?
5.    Has anything changed recently in this situation that might possibly be the cause of stress?

By seeing your stress patterns, you can look at ways to change either your involvement with stress or your stress response. Is what you’re feeling really harmful stress? If it’s actually eustress, then you can change what you say from, “I’m so stressed out over the party” to “I’m so excited about this party!”  It’s amazing how your body responds differently to each type of stress.  Sometimes your reactions to stress are a choice.

Financial Stress and How it Affects a Marriage

A  healthy marriage is good for a couple’s mental and physical health. In Western cultures like the US, more than 90 percent of people marry by age 50 however about 40 percent to 50 percent of married couples in the US end up in divorce. And one of the leading causes of divorce is financial stress. Actually some even claim that financial stress is the number one cause of divorce and divorce is also the number one reason for people filing bankruptcy. How exactly does financial stress affect a marriage?

Effect of Financial Stress in a Couple’s Sex Life and Love Life

All marriages are burdened with some sort of financial stress. Financial stress in a marriage can actually result in another type of stress known as chronic stress. Chronic stress happens when a married couple suffers from insufficient funds to cover debt over a long period of time and when married partners suffer from chronic stress for quite a long time this can diminish their sexual desire.
A lack of sexual desire between a married couple leads to a lack of intimacy in marriage which only increases their even more.
When a woman suffers from chronic stress, it can actually prevent her from achieving orgasm while chronic stress in men can cause temporary impotence.

Effect of Financial Stress to Fertility

Financial stress affects fertility because stress hormones affect the hypothalamus gland which produces reproductive hormones. When either partner suffers from infertility, it also increases stress in marriage as they feel the pressure and frustration of not having a baby even when they desire to have one. And when there’s a huge desire to have a child, they can increase their expenses as they seek medical treatment which results in more financial stress.

Financial Stress as a Reason for a Couple’s Argument

Married partners who are under a lot of financial stress can cause them to react angrily towards each other, using hurtful words and loud voices with the slightest provocation. And at times, people who are struggling with financial stress tend to drink alcohol more often, abuse drugs and/or smoke more. This unhealthy action only decreases a married couple’s available funds to pay incoming bills causing more financial stress. All of these stress coping behaviors tend to result in increased arguments between the married couple. They may blame each other for the financial problems, causing ongoing arguments and these conflicts provoke a chain reaction that results in a decrease in socializing together with friends and family. In short, financial stress can lead to two other type of stress called emotional stress and social stress.

Financial Stress and its Link to Health Problems

According to various stress studies, ongoing chronic stress in a marriage can increases each partner’s risk of serious health problems. Various stress studies confirm that stress and depression have a relation to each other as well as stress and heart disease and stress and obesity. The effects of chronic stress tend to sneak up on individuals and can cause a decrease in productivity at work, crying spells, increased fatigue, anxiety, and withdrawal from each other and friends. Severely high cortisol levels caused by chronic stress, according to the American Institute of Stress, can also result in higher incidence of miscarriage.
The health problems from chronic financial stress can be long-lasting, especially if exacerbated by unhealthy stress coping techniques like alcohol, drugs or nicotine. All of these health problems and financial worries usually result in couples spending less time together. This fact makes financial stress a leading cause of marital conflict and divorce.

Understanding the Sources of Stress

Psychologist Hans Selye defines stress as a condition that refers to the internal reaction to environmental factors. Most people exhibit stress symptoms without even being aware that they are stressed or understanding the sources of the stress. If you want to effectively eliminate stress, then you have to take the first step of stress management which is to understand the sources of stress, also called stressors.
There are different stress factors for every individual and stress factors are also dependent on the social cultural conditions. There is what is considered as a normal or acceptable threshold for stressors and this is socially defined and may also depend on gender roles and expected behaviors. For example, culture dictates that men are not allowed to cry in public even though it is a stress reliever.
Stress is caused by environmental factors surrounding the individual. The body will release the adrenaline hormone as the first step towards preparing to take flight from the stressor. This will result in breakdown of glucose storage such as the glycogen and quick digestion of the food in the gut and the body must have adequate energy to power its flight.
Any situation that is deemed as not favorable for the survival of the human being will result in stress. Naturally, the body prefers not to be in any form of stress. Stress is how the body responds to the environment. The body will respond to the threats that it may detect through the five senses.

So what are the common sources of stress? Let us explore each source of stress.

Physical Stressors
Physical stressors result from internal physical stress symptoms which include pain, headache, excessive dieting, etc.  Physical stressors can also result from external physical stress symptoms which include pollution, excessive noise, physical injury, fatigue, drug use, and excessive exercise.

Psychological Stressors
Psychological stressors arise from time pressures or the unrealistic expectations we place on ourselves or allow to be placed on us by others, such as being perfect, knowing everything or suppression of feelings at all costs.  A person who is under a lot of psychological stress can suffer from anxiety, depression, and/or substance abuse.

Emotional Stressors
Emotional stressors are stress factors which can arise from relationship problems with parents, spouses, children, friends and non married couples. People in relationships who always argue can feel stressed out in trying to work out their differences or stressed out in trying to keep a relationship working. Sometimes, you can also become the source of your emotional stress as you try to set high expectations for yourself, experience fears, uncertainties and even just having a negative view of the world can be emotionally stressful.

Financial Stressors
Financial stressors are also common. People with cash shortage can feel stressed out specially when they are parents who are trying to send their kids to schools or students who need to find a part time job in order to be able to continue studying. Because the world is feeling a financial crunch, people feel even more stressed out in trying to scrunch up money to pay for all their needs and bills.

Spiritual Stressors
There is also what we call spiritual stressors which arise when basic spiritual values or beliefs are reformulated, called into question, disregarded, or when time constraints impede on spiritual growth or attendance at services.  Neglect of spiritual needs contributes to higher levels of stress and impairment.

Social Stressors
Social stressors are abundant and can arise in any context where interpersonal relationships exist, like school, work, church, and community.  When demands at work or school become heavy, people tend to feel stressed and because attention and time are required to accomplish heavy workloads, there’s a possible loss of contact with friends and family which contributes to feelings of loneliness among busy people which in turn stresses them out even more.  Social stress can also arise from continued forced contact with individuals with whom you may not share the same values or beliefs.

Academic Stressors
Academic stress arises with changes that a student must go through as he or she progresses through school especially in College. Students especially the freshmen and the seniors face not only competition but fear of failure as well.
Not a day in your life goes by without encountering a situation or event that may trigger stress and that’s okay. By identifying and understanding the sources of your stress, you learn to manage it better.

Types of Stress

While some stress can be good for the body, some stress disorders can cause major health problems and some types of stress can even be life threatening. Stress is a natural function of the body but understanding the different types of stress can help you better understand how to deal with the stress you encounter in life.

Major Types of Stress

While stress may have many subcategories, the major types of stress can be broken down and categorized into four types of stress: Eustress, Hyperstress, Hypostress and Distress. Let us discuss each type of stress further.

Type of Stress #1: Eustress

Eustress is one of the helpful types of stress. But what is eustress exactly? Eustress is the type of stress you experience right before you have the need to exert physical force. Eustress prepares the muscles, heart, and mind for the strength needed for whatever it is that’s about to occur.
Eustress can also be applied to creative endeavours. When a person needs to have some extra energy or creativity, eustress kicks in to bring them the inspiration they need. An athlete will experience the strength that comes from eustress right before they play a big game or enter a big competition. Because of this type of stress, they immediately receive the strength that they need to perform.

When the body enters the fight or flight response, it will experience eustress.  Eustress prepares the body to fight with or flee from an imposing danger. This type of stress will cause the blood to pump to the major muscle groups, and will increase the heart rate and blood pressure to increase. If the event or danger passes, the body will eventually return to its normal state.

Type of Stress #2: Distress

Distress is one of the negative types of stress. This is one of the types of stress that the mind and body undergoes when the normal routine is constantly adjusted and altered. This type of stress can actually be subcategorized into two types: acute stress and chronic stress.

Distress Type #1: Acute Stress
The first type of distress is acute stress. This type of stress comes immediately with a change of routine. It is an intense type of stress, but it passes quickly. Acute stress is the body’s way of getting a person to stand up and take inventory of what is going on, to make sure that everything is okay.

Distress Type #2: Chronic Stress
The second type of distress is chronic stress. Chronic stress will occur if there is a constant change of routine for week after week. Chronic stress affects the body for a long period of time. This is the type of stress experienced by someone who constantly faces moves or job changes.

Type of Stress #3: Hyperstress
Hyperstress is another negative type of stress which comes when a person is forced to undertake or undergo more than he or she can take. When you’re faced with a stressful job that overworks you, this causes hyperstress. A person who is experiencing hyperstress will often respond to even little stressors with huge emotional outbreaks. It is important for a person who thinks they might be experiencing hyperstress to take measures to reduce stress in their lives, because hyperstress can lead to serious emotional and physical repercussions.

Type of Stress #4: Hypostress
The final of the four types of stress is hypostress. Hypostress stands in direct opposite to the third type of stress: hyperstress. Hypostress is basically insufficient amount of stress. That is because hypostress is the type of stress experienced by a person who is constantly bored. Someone in an unchallenged job, such as a factory worker performing the same task over and over, will often experience hypostress. Hypostress effects are feelings of restlessness and a lack of inspiration.

How to Protect Your Children from Financial Stress

Everywhere we turn, people seem to all be suffering from some type of financial stress. How can they not? Life has become more expensive nowadays what with the rise of consumerism.
Learn how to avoid the unnecessary worry that comes from financial stress and protect your children from sharing and feeling the family’s financial stress. Here are some steps you can do to protect your children from financial stress:

Financial Stress Control Step 1

The first and foremost important thing to remember is that financial stress is an adult issue. There is no need to burden your kids with money matters resulting in financial stress. Doing so will only cause emotional stress for them such as fear and insecurity.

Financial Stress Control Step 2

When times are tight, it’s best to tighten your belts to prevent yourself from suffering from financial stress. But next time your kid asks for something and you can’t afford it, tell them so. But choose your words carefully. Remember financial stress is hard enough to deal with. You don’t want to add emotional stress on your kids as well do you?

Financial Stress Control Step 3

Even when you’re under a lot of financial stress, avoid discussing money problems or arguing about spending, bills, overdue payments and such in front of your children. Doing so will only create unnecessary stress and even guilt on them.

Financial Stress Control Step 4

Saving money has taken on a new meaning. Conservation and going green are hot topics. So make use of these two money saving strategies. Teach your kids about learning to conserve water or turning off unused appliances. Teaching them to be conservative has two benefits: they help you out in reducing your financial stress problems and they help save the planet.

Financial Stress Control Step 5

Having financial stress doesn’t mean you can’t take your kids out shopping some times. Make your shopping interesting by going to consignment shops, thrift stores, garage sales and flea markets. You can find great items at a fraction of a cost! Plus, kids love scavenger hunts and you just might surprise yourself  by finding out that you also enjoy bargain shopping!

Financial Stress Control Step 6

Being under financial stress can be an opportunity for more family time. You can protect your kids from being stressed out with the lack of money by making them focus on the positive aspects of having a bit less. Go hiking instead of going mall shopping. Bake your own pizza. Rent DVDs instead of going to a movie theatre.

Financial Stress Control Step 7

Change your perspective from needing more ‘stuff’ to knowing that you already have everything you need. Be grateful for and focus on what you do have. Not only will this significantly offer stress relief for you, but your kids will learn appreciation as well!

Financial Stress Control Step 8

Realize that financial patterns, as well as everything else in the universe, have an ebb and flow. We may be in the ‘ebb’ phase for awhile but it won’t be long before we get back into the ‘flow’.
If you and your family and friends are experiencing financial stress at the moment, know that this too, shall pass. Make the best of what you do have and appreciate being a part of the abundance in life. Adopting a positive attitude will maintain peace in your home and protect your children from financial stress and fear. Try making your two favorite words, “thank you.” An attitude of gratitude creates a major shift in your thinking and will get you back into the flow.

Stress and Its Physical Effects

Stress can cause a number of physical stress symptoms and these physical stress symptoms can actually help to identify and timely address the problem. A correct diagnosis is the key to overcome stress.
It is believed that more than 50% of all visits to doctors are initially caused by stress. Many health care professionals consider stress as one of the fundamental reasons for illnesses such as cancer and heart attack.
Others have already proved that humans under stress are more vulnerable and not resistant to trivial diseases such as the simple flu. Numerous couples all around the world and especially Europe and USA are struggling in having their own babies because of stress. And because stress may accumulate slowly, it may be difficult to notice it and if not relieved it may seriously affect your overall health. Thus stress accumulates day by day and the physical stress effects may show up unnoticed by you.

Stress and Its Physical Effects on the Body’s Internal Systems

Stress and the Nervous System
Whenever we are stressed out, either physical stress or psychological stress, the body suddenly shifts its energy resources to combat stress, the perceived threat. When this happens, the sympathetic nervous system signals the adrenal glands to release adrenaline and cortisol in what is known as fight or flight response and these make the beat faster, raise blood pressure, change the digestive process and boost glucose levels in the bloodstream. Once the crisis passes though, the system usually returns to normal.

Stress and the Musculoskeletal System
Whenever stressed out, the muscles tense up and the muscle contractions that extend for periods of time can trigger tension headaches, migraines and various musculoskeletal conditions.

Stress and the Respiratory System
Whenever one feels stressed out, your breathing becomes harder, causing rapid breathing which can bring on the panic attacks in some people.

Stress and the Cardiovascular System
Acute stress, a type of stress that happens momentary due to being stuck in traffic for example can cause an increase in heart rate and stronger contractions of the heart muscle. Blood vessels that direct blood to the large muscles and to the heart dilate, increasing the amount of blood pumped to these parts of the body. Repeated episodes of stress can cause inflammation in the coronary arteries, thought to lead to heart attack.

Stress and the Endocrine System
Stress affects the adrenal glands which happens when the body feels stressed, sending brain signals from the hypothalamus which then causes the adrenal complex to produce cortisol and the adrenal modulla to produce epinephrine or what is sometimes called “stress hormones.”

Stress also affects the liver. This happens when cortisol and epinephrine are released, causing the liver to produce more glucose which would give you the necessary energy to fight or flight in an emergency.

Stress and the Gastrointestinal System
Stress affects the esophagus by prompting you to eat more or much less than you usually do when under stressed.  If you eat more foods or increase your use of tobacco or alcohol whenever you are stressed out, you may experience heartburn or acid reflux.
Ever hear of ‘butterflies in your tummy’ expression? That’s stress. When you’re under a lot of stress, it can also cause nausea or pain in the stomach which can make you vomit under extreme stress.
Stress can also affect digestion and which nutrients your intestines absorb. It can also affect how quickly the food moves through your body. As a result of stress, you may have diarrhea or constipation.

Stress and the Reproductive System
Chronic stress in men can impair testosterone and sperm production, which can cause impotence. In women, stress cause absent or irregular menstrual cycles or more painful periods. Stress can also reduce sexual desire.

Stress and the Immune System
Under stress your body needs energy to run or fight which changes the body’s chemistry to suppress the immune system. So whenever we experience workplace stress or stress in school we feel ill.

Stress and its Other Physical Effects

There are also other physical effects of stress such as:
Numbness is a physical effect of stress wherein you can’t feel anything in a particular body part such as arms or legs.
Headaches might be caused by different reasons, one of them being chronic overwork and stress. In addition tensions and deep disappointments can also result in stress and terrible headaches.
Hot and Cold Waves are physical effects of stress wherein you feel hot and cold, irrelevant of what the temperature of the air is. Whenever you feel stressed out, you may first feel hot and immediately afterwords cold.

Sweating is another physical effect of stress wherein you sweat for no reason even if it is cold. Sweating caused by stress starts from palms and armpits and can show up on face and the whole body.

Most of the stated things above may be normal reactions to changes in the surrounding environment but they become stress signs – physical effects of stress if they manifest persistently in the course of time and we can’t restore completely to our normal physical condition.