What are the Types of Stress?

What Are the Different Types of Stress? A Complete Guide

Stress is a natural response of humans to demanding or challenging situations known as stressors. The stressors can be financial pressures, relationships, work or any other conditions. It acts as a threat to a person’s overall well-being and disrupts the normal functioning of life.

Different Types of Stress

There are primarily three types of stress that affect individuals. Here is an overview of each of them:

• Acute Stress : Acute stress causes short-term reactions to immediate stressors and demands. It occurs only in response to particular situations or events, like a traffic jam or an upcoming presentation. A few examples of acute stress include getting ready for work, studying for a test, being stuck in traffic, having an argument, etc. However, it can also include other events like natural disasters, accidents and witnessing someone else get harmed.
• Chronic Stress : Chronic stress is a prolonged or continuous state of feeling pressured. It results from having to endure ongoing situations. This kind of stress contributes towards the development of conditions like anxiety disorders, hypertension, heart disease, etc. A few examples of situations that induce chronic stress are lifelong illnesses, unstable living situations and traumatic experiences (abuse, violence, etc.).
• Episodic Stress : Episodic stress is a recurrent period of acute stress. An individual going through this has high levels of stress. It involves facing short periods of intense stressors that lead to consistent periods of overwhelming stress. A few examples of this type of stress are recurring family conflicts, repeated work pressure, chronic health conditions, periods of financial instability, etc.

Signs and Symptoms of Stress

There are many signs and symptoms of stress, ranging from physical to emotional tobehavioural. Here is an overview of each of them:

• Physical Symptoms – Stress can manifest into physical symptoms like aches, pains, sleep disturbances, digestive issues, skin problems, fatigue, exhaustion, rapid heartbeat, etc.
• Emotional Symptoms – Stress also impacts emotional well-being and leads to symptoms like emotional exhaustion or feelings of helplessness, irritability, difficulty concentrating, anxiety, etc. Prolonged stress leads to more severe issues like panic attacks and depression.
• Behavioural Symptoms – Stress also causes behavioural symptoms. They include changes in sleep patterns, appetite, reduced social interaction , procrastination,substance use and neglect of responsibilities.

Popular Ways of Stress Prevention

Here are a few ways how one can prevent stress and lead healthier lives:

• Practising Self-Relaxation : Practising breathing and meditation exercises can help reduce stress. It is recommended to spend some time in nature, as that can help ease stress.
• Taking Care of Oneself : Incorporating self-care activities into daily life is necessary for stress management. For instance, it can be prioritising mental health, getting sufficient sleep, eating healthy, and engaging in activities which bring joy.
• Seeking Social Support : Seeking support from family members, friends, mentors, and people you trust can help ease the mental load and stress.
• Doing Physical Activity : Physical activity has a big impact on the brain and body. Exercises help to reduce stress actively and improve symptoms associated with mental illness. For example, one can do pilates or stretches, take a walk, or anything of that sort to ease the mind.

Stress is an inevitable part of life. However, there are things we can do to minimise and prevent it. It is recommended to reach out to a professional promptly upon recognising any signs and symptoms of stress.