Stress

What is Stress?

Stress is a normal response to situational pressures or demands and is a part of everyday life.

Some stress is positive. It causes our bodies to release adrenaline, which helps us to accomplish assignments and projects, and can even enhance our performance and problem-solving ability.

Our bodies are well equipped to handle stress in small doses. But chronic stress, which is constant and persists over an extended period of time, can be debilitating and overwhelming. When that stress becomes long-term or chronic, it can lead to mental health and medical problems.¹

American Psychological Association. (2018, November 1). Stress effects on the body. http://www.apa.org/topics/stress/body

What is Chronic Stress?

Our body is not good at dealing with chronic stress.

Over time, chronic stress gradually increases your resting heart rate, blood pressure, breathing rate and levels of muscle tension therefore it causes our body has to work harder when it is at rest to keep you functioning as usual. In other words, chronic stress creates a new normal inside our body and this new normal can lead us to have health problems.

American Psychological Association. (2018, November 1). Stress effects on the body. http://www.apa.org/topics/stress/body