Stress
It is impossible to completely banish stress; it affects almost everyone at sometime in their lives. Stress is a natural part of every day living. We are all under pressure to a degree, and in manageable amounts it adds a positive edge to life.
We need stress to keep us stimulated. Too little and we find life dull; too much and our performance abilities are hampered, and life can spiral out of control.
Faced with pressure, challenge or danger the body responds quickly by releasing hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline - part of the ‘fight or flight’ response. These affect the metabolic and heart rates and blood pressure.
Modern stresses rarely call for ‘flight and fight’ and the body works overtime.As a result pulse rates increase, blood pressure rises and blood sugars are raised producing unneeded extra energy. Short bursts of stress are not dangerous and providing it is released as soon as the stimuli or situation has passed, will not cause any negative long term effects.
Longer term – or chronic stress - has many negative symptoms. It can damage your health; make you anxious, afraid, worried and uptight.