Stress
Understanding Stress: Types, Causes, and Health Impacts
Acute, Episodic, and Chronic Stress
Stress is the body’s normal reaction to changes or challenges that occur. Stress is very common and affects nearly everyone. Stress can sometimes be a good thing. It can keep you alert, motivated and ready to avoid danger. Stress becomes a problem, however, when stressors continue without periods of relief.
Stress is categorized as acute, episodic or chronic.
Acute stress comes and goes quickly and can be positive or negative.
Episodic stress occurs regularly and can often be work-related.
Chronic stress lasts for weeks or months at a time and is typically caused by home/relationship stressors, work or financial problems. If you don’t find a way to manage chronic stress, it can lead to health issues.
Coping with Chronic Stress: Recognizing Symptoms and Building Healthy Habits
Chronic Stress symptoms can manifest as physical (chest pain, trouble use, gambling, overeating, compulsive shopping or substance use. sleeping, headaches, digestive issues), psychological (anxiety, depression, panic attacks) or behavioral. People with chronic stress turn to different activities to try and cope which might lead to alcohol.
While stress cannot be completely avoided, there are things you can do to reduce your risk.
- Do some type of physical activity every day. Go for a short walk, a jog or join an exercise class.
- Consider meditation, yoga or daily breathing exercises
- Focus on what you accomplish every day and not what you didn’t get done.
- Make sure to get enough sleep and try staying positive.
- Connect with family and friends or seek counseling from a professional therapist
- Seek medical attention if you feel overwhelmed, your stress symptoms are not going away or if you’ve turned to alcohol or drugs to cope.
Promote Relaxation and Better Sleep by Calming the Mind and Body"
Reduce Stress Naturally with Acupuncture
Consider acupuncture to help relieve your stress. Acupuncture increases circulation, reduces levels of stress hormones and calms the nervous system during each treatment, helping to alleviate stress and improve sleep.