The Oxford Dictionary defines stress as a state of mental, emotional or other strain. Irrespective of age, gender or occupation, we all experience stress and its consequences. And these consequences have the potential to dramatically impact life and our quality of it.

What happens when we stress?

No matter the cause or reason for stress, when one is under pressure, a series of physical reactions take place in the body:

    • The adrenal glands produce higher than normal levels of adrenaline
    • The hypothalamus releases the hormones cortisol and adrenalin into the bloodstream
    • The heart rate increases
    • Breathing can become more rapid
    • The blood in the body is directed away from the skin towards the muscles to support the heart and other systems during the stressful episode.

This series of physical events is called the “fight or flight” response, and all these events work together to prepare the body to react. As soon as the crisis passes, the body returns to its stable state and the levels of hormones return to normal.

Threat of long-term stress

When stress is at a reasonable level, it can be hugely helpful to performance; many artists produce some of their best work when under stress, and most of us can attest to how helpful the stress of a deadline can be in motivating us to complete a task.

It is in the long-term that stress can pose serious threats. If the body is constantly under stress the systems never return to their stable states, causing the body to constantly produce and release chemicals that can depress the immune system and seriously affect health.

Heart disease, ulcers, obesity or overweight, headaches, insomnia, diabetes and autoimmune disorders are just some of the physical results of long-term stress.

Stress can also have a cognitive impact: scientists believe long-term stress can impair memory and attention span and also affect strategic thinking and the ability to process thoughts and information.

Our Employee Wellbeing Programme (EAP) is available 24 hours a day if you want to know more about stress.