Shraddha woke up this morning with a mild headache. She has not slept well in the past week. She faces the prospect of going to work with trepidation. She actually places her hand on her chest to quell the palpitations that threaten to burst her heart. She is stressed out.

How do you know you are stressed? 

Stress may manifest in different ways in each person. You may feel nervous, agitated, or anxious. You may feel overwhelmed.

Stress works in insidious or overt ways. It can affect us physically, emotionally and mentally. The dangers of unmanaged stress are significant. Stress can bring on symptoms that mimic a heart attack, depression, or anxiety. It can also lead to serious illnesses and health problems, including high blood pressure and ulcers.

Globalization seems to have assumed a new meaning in the health context – stress related complaints lead to 75 percent of physician visits all over the world.

Why do we get stressed?

Stress is not always bad. When the body perceives physical danger or feels mental pressure, the body reacts by producing certain hormones like adrenaline and cortisol. These result in the “fight or flee phenomenon” which energizes the body to either stay and fight or flee speedily. Most of the time, these hormones work with us and enable us to overcome obstacles, face our fears, and achieve our goals.  

When does stress become bad?

There are trigger points for stress. When these trigger points are activated repeatedly, even without the original stimulus, we develop a classic Pavlovian reflex, where all the stress related symptoms manifest themselves predictably. Adrenaline and cortisol can cause symptoms like palpitations, stomach pain, sweating, and a dry mouth. When repeatedly released into the system, these hormones can result in hypertension, ulcers, heart disease and anxiety.