DR MAXWELL ADEYEMI

As we continue to endure the burden of covid19, our stress levels are at an all-time high. This, in addition to other everyday sources of stress, is causing many people to struggle to cope. Stress is the non-specific response by the body to any demand for change. Stress could be positive (eustress), or negative (distress).

Physiological stress is response to a stressor such as an environmental condition. In response to a stressful event, the body responds by sympathetic nervous system activation which results in the fight-or-flight response. Because the body cannot keep this state for long periods of time, the parasympathetic system returns the body's physiological conditions to normal (homeostasis). This is why it is common that people go in and out of stressful conditions.

In humans, stress typically describes a negative condition or a positive condition that can have an impact on a person's mental and physical well-being. It is a normal part of life. Many events that happen to you, around you and many things that you do yourself can put stress on your body.

Stress in humans results from interactions between people and their environment that are perceived as straining or exceeding their adaptive capacities and threatening their well-being. The element of perception indicates that human stress responses reflect differences in personality, as well as differences in physical strength or general health

RisksFor stress-related illnesses, risks include a mix of personal, interpersonal, and social variables. These factors include lack or loss of control over one's physical environment, and lack or loss of social support networks.

People who are dependent on others (for example children or the elderly) or who are socially disadvantaged because of race, gender, educational level, or similar factors are at greater risk of developing stress-related illnesses. Other risk factors include feelings of helplessness, hopelessness, extreme fear or anger, and cynicism, distrust of others and betrayal.

SymptomsThe symptoms of stress can be either physical or psychological.

Stress-related physical illnesses, such as irritable bowel syndrome, heart attacks, arthritis, and chronic headaches, result from long-term overstimulation of a part of the nervous system that regulates the heart rate, blood pressure, and digestive system.

Stress-related emotional illness results from inadequate or inappropriate responses to major changes in one's life situation, such as marriage, completing one's education, becoming a parent, losing a job, or retirement.

In the workplace, stress-related illness often takes the form of burnout - a loss of interest in or ability to perform one's job due to long-term high stress levels.

Effects of stress

The human body is designed to experience stress and react to it. Stress can be positive, keeping us alert and ready to avoid danger.

Stress becomes negative when a person faces continuous challenges without relief or relaxation between challenges. As a result, th