Stress, one of the most common problems of our age, is the subject of many studies and studies. The problems caused by stress are much more diverse than we think. Learning to cope with stress is one of the keys to achieving positive results in your work and private life.

We all feel nervous from time to time; it´s part of the emotional ups and downs in life. Stress has many sources; It can arise from our body or our personal thoughts, our environment and the way we view the world around us. Pressure periods, such as exam periods, can naturally cause stress; however, our body has evolved physiologically to cope and respond to stress.

When our nervous system is under pressure, our bodies release stress hormones, including adrenaline, noradrenaline, and cortisol. These secretions cause certain physical changes to help us cope with a threat or danger we are facing. This is called the "stress response" or the "fight or flight" response.

The stress response can actually be seen as a positive response, as it helps to increase our attention, increase our motivation and focus on our task. Generally, when the pressure on us is relieved, the body returns to a state of balance and we begin to calm down again. But if we frequently experience stressful situations or negative emotions, problems arise as this situation strains our ability to cope. The constant active state of the nervous system (experiencing a “stress response”) causes wear and tear on our body.

Nervous, Circulatory, Digestive and Other Systems

The respiratory system is most affected by the stress situation. In order to quickly distribute oxygen-rich blood throughout our body, we show a faster breathing response. While this is not a problem for most of us, it is a serious problem for asthma sufferers who have trouble breathing and getting enough oxygen. When an insufficient amount of air enters our lungs, it can cause rapid and difficult breathing and lead to hyperventilation (difficulty breathing). This is probably one of the main reasons why people are prone to anxiety and panic attacks.

Stress also harms our immune system. Cortisol in our body strengthens the immune system and suppresses inflammation; it is also more susceptible to infections and chronic inflammatory (digestive) conditions. In this context, excessive stress reduces our ability to fight disease.

Our musculoskeletal system is also affected by our tense mood. Our muscles become tense; this is our body´s most natural way of protecting itself from injury and pain. Constantly repeated muscle tension can lead to bodily aches and pains; When contractions occur in the shoulders, neck and head, tension will cause headaches and migraines.

On the other hand, stress has negative effects on the cardiovascular system. When stress becomes acute (after a traumatic event), heart rate and blood pressure rise; only after the acute stress has passed, the body returns to its normal functioning. If acute stress is experienced repeatedly or if the stress becomes chronic (long-term), it can cause damage to the veins and arteries. This will increase the risk of hypertension (high blood pressure), heart attack or stroke.

The endocrine (hormonal) system is also the target of stress. This system controls our mood, our growth and development, our textural functions, and the regulation of metabolism and reproductive processes. Therefore, stress negatively affects the functioning of our metabolism. The hypothalamus is located inside our brain and plays a very important role in connecting the endocrine system with the nervous system. Stress signals from the hypothalamus trigger the release of the stress hormones cortisol and epinephrine, and then blood sugar (glucose) is produced by the liver to provide us with energy to cope with the stressful situation. Most people flush out extra blood sugar when stress subsides; however, for some people, stress increases the risk of diabetes.

Stress can cause some distressing gastrointestinal (digestive) problems. Especially in terms of our eating habits, when we eat insufficient or too much food or increase our consumption of fatty and sugary foods, we may experience heartburn and acid reflux problems. The ability of the intestines to absorb nutrients from the foods we consume may be reduced due to stress. It can cause stomach pain, bloating and nausea, diarrhea or constipation.

Stress can also cause problems in our reproductive system. Chronic stress can lower testosterone and sperm production for men. It can even lead to erectile dysfunction or impotence. For women, it can create changes in menstrual cycles and increase premenstrual problems.

STRESS AND MIND

Stress also has major effects on our emotional health. Optimistic and bad in our daily life

it is usual to experience gloomy moods; however, when we are under pressure, we may feel more tired, experience rapid mood swings, or feel more angry than usual. Stress causes overstimulation; This often leads to difficulty waking up or falling asleep, meaning restless nights. This damaging tension leads to distraction, learning difficulties and memory problems; These problems cause difficulties, for example, during the exam period.

Researchers attribute poor sleep to chronic health problems, depression and even obesity. The way we deal with stress will help an indirect and additional improvement on our health. People under pressure acquire some harmful habits, such as smoking and excessive alcohol consumption or taking stress relievers. However, these behaviors are actually wrong methods that negatively affect your personal health and comfort and cause more health problems and risks.

In short, learn ways to cope with stress before it manages you. It´s all about keeping it under control. A little bit of stress is normal in everyday life; sometimes it has positive effects that can be a little stress stimulant, motivating, easy to focus, energizing and even making us feel excited. Engage in positive pursuits to channel this energy in the right way, and eventually witness yourself performing better, earning more, and feeling better.