Stress Types, Symptoms, and Forms of Relief

Stress Types, Symptoms, and Forms of Relief Stress Management Effects on Health Print Individualized Stress Relief for Better Health By Elizabeth Scott, MS twitter Elizabeth Scott, MS, is a wellness coach specializing in stress management and quality of life, and the author of 8 Keys to Stress Management. Learn about our editorial policy Elizabeth Scott, MS Updated on June 24, 2019 How Stress Impacts Your Health Overview Signs of Burnout Stress and Weight Gain Benefits of Exercise Stress Reduction Tips Self-Care Practices Mindful Living Stress can manifest itself physically in the form of headaches, stomach upset, and other symptoms. Find strategies for stress relief, and you should find relief from those as well. Jamie Grill/Getty Images We all experience stress differently, so it follows that stress relief may require a different approach for different people. Heres what you need to know about how stress can affect you, and what goes into our stress relief needs: Not All Stress Is Bad With all the press that stress is getting these days, it’s easy to think of it as something to be categorically avoided and eliminated from life. Interestingly, though, there are different types of stress, and not all are necessarily bad for youâ€"in fact, some stress is not only positive, but vital for healthy functioning. Eustress, for example, is a positive type of stress that leads to feelings of excitement and exhilaration. Without a little stress, life would be extremely dull and depression would be rampant, so relief from all stress isnt the best goal. Chronic stress, however, results from the body remaining in an almost constant state of reactivity where the fight-or-flight responseâ€"the body’s way of gearing up for a showdown or quick getawayâ€"remains triggered continuously. This is the type of stress that makes headlines  and has earned the bad press it’s gotten. Chronic stress can affect your body in many serious ways, such as heart disease, diabetes, and stroke. Common Stress Symptoms Because stress can impact your immune system, anything from a cold to a heart attack can be a sign that you need to de-stress. However, there are some common symptoms of stress:?? HeadachesHigh Blood PressureLow LibidoEmotional EatingBurnoutMemory Lapses and Fuzzy ThinkingSleep Problems Some Types of People Have Greater Needs for Stress Relief Just as there are different types of stress, there are different types of people, and some are more reactive to stress than others. Because the body’s stress response is triggered by perceived threat (rather than an actual threat), and the body’s ability to return to homeostasis, or its normal state, also varies from person to person, with some people calming down immediately and others remaining overstimulated for hours after a stress trigger. Certain personality types also tend to bring on more stress, and respond to stressful situations less effectively, such as perfectionists or those who are Type A. For more information, see these personality features that are more stress-reactive, and see where you fit on the spectrum.? Stress Relief Comes In Several Forms So all of these variables add complexity to the question of whether an individual is experiencing an unhealthy level of stress or just enjoying an exciting life. Certain lifestyle factors and attitudes can be telling indicators, however. The following tool can help provide you with an assessment of your stress situation as well as resources that are specifically targeted for you. Individual Stress Reliever Tool This handy resource supplies you with targeted stress relievers designed to fit best with your personality and lifestyle.