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What Is Stress?
Stress can affect your health. Stress is the way a person or animal reacts to events or experiences called "stressors." There are two different types of stressors: acute stressors and chronic stressors. Your body has a different reactions to each type.
Acute Stressors and Fight or Flight
Have you ever had an experience where you nearly miss being in a car accident? Most of us have experienced an acute stressor like this. Acute stressors are situations or experiences where a person's life or safety is in danger. Examples of acute stressors are when a person is physically attacked or is in another dangerous situation, like an earthquake. When a person is in danger, his or her body reacts quickly with a fight or flight reaction. A fight or flight reaction is a purely physical reaction to stress where the body activates systems that can be used to fight off or flee from something dangerous. At the same time, the body takes energy from systems that will not be needed. A fight or flight reaction happens within seconds of exposure to the stressor.
Chronic Stressors
Is your work frustrating or demanding? Is it hard to balance work and family life? Are you in a relationship where you experience a lot of conflict? You may be experiencing a chronic stressor. Chronic stressors are typically less physically dangerous then acute stressors. These stressful events or situations are usually more psychologically stressful. Chronic stressors can be either positive (like a wedding) or negative (like a divorce). Chronic stressors can also vary in length or intensity.
Some stressors, called daily hassles, are more irritating, like traffic or noise. Other stressors can be very difficult, like a job loss or an ill family member. Some chronic stressors can last for a long time and take a toll on the body over years. The body's reaction to chronic stressors is usually slower than the fight or flight response.
Some stressors, called daily hassles, are more irritating, like traffic or noise. Other stressors can be very difficult, like a job loss or an ill family member. Some chronic stressors can last for a long time and take a toll on the body over years. The body's reaction to chronic stressors is usually slower than the fight or flight response.
Stressors Affect People Differently
Why can some people remain calm during stressful times, while others are distressed? There are several different reasons for this. One reason centers around the way that you perceive the stressor. The way that people perceive stressors is called their appraisal of a stressor.
When you first encounter a stressor, you typically evaluate its threat.
You may see certain stressors as harmful or threatening. Harmful stressors are typically the stressful events that have already harmed you physically or harmed your identity. Harmful stressors can also include losing a person you love or care about.
Threatening stressors are events or experiences that have not happened but that you believe will be stressful and will lead to a loss in the future. An example of a threatening stressor would the threat of illness in the future.
Challenging stressors are stressful events that require your energy to cope. However, challenges are different in that completing them may lead to something good. For instance, a challenging stressor could be completing your education.
When you first encounter a stressor, you typically evaluate its threat.
You may see certain stressors as harmful or threatening. Harmful stressors are typically the stressful events that have already harmed you physically or harmed your identity. Harmful stressors can also include losing a person you love or care about.
Threatening stressors are events or experiences that have not happened but that you believe will be stressful and will lead to a loss in the future. An example of a threatening stressor would the threat of illness in the future.
Challenging stressors are stressful events that require your energy to cope. However, challenges are different in that completing them may lead to something good. For instance, a challenging stressor could be completing your education.
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