THE PROS OF STRESS

INTRODUCTION

The daily experience of stress in our lives can't be abolished. Stress perhaps can be emotional or physical. A limb supporting the body is said to be on stress. Lifting a load with your hands puts your hands on stress and as you exercise, your muscles are stressed. However there's "good stress" which is usually moderate or described as "low-level". This is a healthy form of stress as it has beneficial impact on us. Bad stress or chronic stress on the other hand is a condition that throws your psychology and physiology in turmoil. 

Stressors are conditions or events that stresses and organism and a stresse is an organism under stress. 

As living organisms, we are built to adapt to unfavorable environmental conditions, challenges and demands but when these becomes overwhelming, we are said to be stressed and this is evident by some precipitating symptoms. 

Furthermore, our daily usage of the word stress usually denotes negativity but this is not always the case as there're benefiting roles stress play in our lives. 

DEFINITION

Stress is a psychological and physiological response to events that alter our natural balance as living organisms. This response can have a negative or positive outcome depending on the severity and longevity of the stressor. 

BODY'S STRESS RESPONSE: THE FIGHT-OR-FLIGHT RESPONSE

No matter the nature of the stressor, the response is usually the same. With adrenaline, the stress hormone (cortisol) prepares your body for emergency actions in a series of events called "fight-or-flight".

Heart rate and blood flow to the large muscles increase so we can run faster and fight harder.

Blood vessels under the skin constrict to prevent blood loss in case of injury, pupils dilate so we

can see better, and our blood sugar goes up, giving us an energy boost. At the same time, body processes not essential for immediate survival are suppressed. The digestive and reproductive systems slow down, growth hormone is inhibited and the immune response is suppressed. This response is an attempt to help and support you in danger and this saved our ancestors as they were predisposed to predators. 

Stress nowadays doesn't usually come from physical threats as it does in ancient times but it's more of an emotional disturbance. Example: mourning, exam situations, job and money concerns, responsibilities, failed marriage and relationships etc. 

The problem with the stress response is that the more it’s activated, the harder it is to shut off. Instead of leveling off once the crisis has passed, the stress hormone remain high causing stress related problems. 

ADVANTAGES OF STRESS: THE MODERATE STRESS

1- COGNITIVE FUNCTION

Moderate stress or low-level stressors stimulate the production of a chemical called neurotrophin which regulates development, maintenance and function of vertebrate nervous system. 

This chemical strengthens the connection between the neurons (cells of the nervous system) in your brain. This helps improve cognitive functions. 

This helps explain why many individuals work better under stress. You'll notice that at times when you are faced with a nearly impossible work at the eleventh hour, you may find a smarter and intelligent way to carry it out. 

Stressors responsible for this are known to be short-term, low-level or moderate as opposed to chronic stressors. 

2- IMMUNITY

Moderate stress or eustress provides protection against getting sick by stimulating the production of interleukins which are chemicals that help regulate the immune system, providing a temporal defense spike. This however occurs in short-term cases as prolonged exposure can weaken the immune system. 

3- CHILD DEVELOPMENT

A study at John Hopkins University shows that moderate daily stress during pregnancy is associated with a more advanced early child development. Babies born to mothers who experienced mild to moderate stress during pregnancy showed more advanced development than babies who were born to unstressed mothers. 

This is contrary to normal believe that stress during pregnancy can harm the baby. 

4- RESILIENCY: "WHAT DOESN'T KILL YOU MAKES YOU STRONGER"

Dealing with a stressful experience successfully helps you manage another form of stress in the future. A stressful experience with a pleasurable and beaming result builds your courage and efficacy towards similar event that is forthcoming. 

CONCLUSION

You can see that stress isn't all time bad. When exposed to a moderate form of stress, it is beneficial. Stress can't be avoided but channeled Into positivity. Chronic stress however, can have serious threatening conditions. Conditions that bring about chronic psychological disturbance should be avoided as this can be evident on our physiology and body in general.