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What is stress? ﹀

What is stress?

How does stress affect our system?

When prevailing for an extended period of time or at high intensity, conscious as well as unconscious stressors can overload our defense system and adaptive capabilities. They can lead to physical, emotional or mental impairment.

Time pressure, sensory overload, tension, jet lag, excitement, disputes, isolation, exceeding workload, mobbing, fear of failure, loneliness, sleep disorder, pain, fear, panic… they all can cause stress.

Long-term stress may lead to conditions such as helplessness, burnout, depression, sleep disorders, malaise, loss of memory, disorganization, apathy, restlessness, chronic fatigue, high level of stress hormones and increased risk of infection, organic dysfunctions as well as accelerated aging.

The condition of stress and its reactions thereto often affects the entire organism. Stress acts on different levels and influences brain function, hormones and the immune system as well as organs, tissues and cells.

This affects, inter alia, digestion, cardiovascular functions, metabolism and cell growth. The body’s stress system initiates stabilization processes in an attempt to maintain the inner balance. In the case of long-term stress exposure, the body can no longer find a balance – and may collapse.

Stress changes the functions of:

  • Brain: attention, memory, behavior and sleep
  • Feelings: gives rise to fear, anger and panic
  • Hormone system: increased release of adrenaline and cortisol
  • Immune system, organs and tissues: negative impact on immune defense, cardiovascular functions, breathing, digestion, sexuality, skin function
  • Cell and molecules: metabolism, cell growth