Why is Stress Mitigation Important?

When we think of stress, we automatically assume a negative situation. Stress, like everything else, has positives and negatives. The importance of stress, whether negative or positive, is insurmountable. Ultimately, our physiological stress response is inherently a positive one, but when considering chronic stress, it turns relatively negative. Why is that?

Positive Stress

As odd as it may sound, we were blessed with a very responsive and supportive stress response system in our body. In any cognitively or physiologically stressful situation, our body responds by releasing many hormones- Cortisol being the predominant stress hormone. Cortisol elicits an appropriate bodily reaction in order to keep us safe from harm. Our stress response stimulates our sympathetic nervous system, eliciting our fight or flight response. This reaction causes heightened senses, heart rate, and blood pressure, which allows us to react and keep ourselves out of harm’s way. This system has successfully evolved over thousands of years so that we can continue to protect ourselves in times of stress. The problem nowadays is that people are becoming stressed, and then keeping themselves in that stressed state for long periods of time. This is considered chronic stress, and it has many negative side effects.

Negative Stress

Negative stress is synonymous with chronic stress. Short bursts of stress response are appropriate and positive for our wellbeing, but living in a sympathetic state for long periods of time with heightened heart rate, increased blood pressure, chronic inflammation, high cortisol levels, depressed digestion, poor sleep, low metabolic activity, etc. is immensely negative. Being in a chronic state of stress causes a long term cascade of dysfunction in other significant body systems and functions. There are many reasons someone can be chronically stressed, but some simple explanations for an average person are:

● Caffeine overconsumption

● Lack of exercise OR over exercising

● Lack of sleep by choice

● Avoided compounding cognitive stress

● Poor food choices

● Chronic dehydration

Negative stress can happen to anyone, but what’s important is that we are aware of it and we change our habits in an attempt to mitigate it.

Some Suggestions on Dealing with Stress

Positive and negative stress is important. We need a healthy level of stress to optimally function in our day to day lives, but chronic stress will certainly play a negative role in the body. So, how can we keep our chronic stress down to a minimum? Here are some fantastic suggestions on how to mitigate what may become negative stress:

● Exercise often

● Go for a walk

● Practice mindful breathing

● Eat more healthy foods

● Listen to your favorite music/dance freely

● Journal

● Meditate

● Pray

● Organize your space

● Call a loved one

Stress is a normal part of everyday life, but if you work to mindfully mitigate chronic stressors when it comes up, you will be able to live a healthier and happier life long term!

-Samantha Miller CPT Zero Doubt Club