Stress is a physiological and psychological reaction of the body to situations that it perceives as threatening or challenging. However, when prolonged over time, it can have very negative effects on health, both physical and mental. It can directly affect quality of life, personal relationships, and even work performance.
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What is prolonged stress and its causes
Stress is our body’s natural response to challenging or threatening situations. When activates continuously For weeks, months, or even years, we talk about prolonged stress.
If the body remains in a chronic state of alert, it releases stress hormones, such as cortisol or adrenaline, continuously. This can seriously affect physical and mental health.
In this sense, prolonged stress can appear for various reasons, and its intensity can even vary from one person to another. However, the most common and frequent origins are the following:
- Work problems : situations such as work overload, conflicts in the work environment, lack of recognition or job insecurity.
- Economic or financial problems : difficulties related to money management, such as debt, not having enough income to cover basic expenses, unemployment or financial instability.
- Family problems or conflictive relationships : problems within the family, such as frequent arguments, divorces, parenting problems, etc.
- Chronic illnesses or other health problems : can cause stress due to concerns about treatment, symptom management, and impact on quality of life.
- Traumas : such as accidents, abuse, violence or loss of loved ones.
- Major life changes : significant events that disrupt routine, such as divorces, moves, losses, etc.
Symptoms of prolonged stress
Prolonged stress manifests itself through physical, emotional or behavioral symptoms. In this sense, the most common signs of chronic stress are:
- Constant fatigue that is, a persistent feeling of tiredness and lack of energy.
- Increased heart rate and blood pressure : increase in the heartbeat and the force with which blood is pumped through the arteries.
- Difficult to focus : not being able to pay attention and maintain it on a specific task or activity.
- Difficulty falling asleep or insomnia : it is difficult to fall asleep at the beginning of sleep or to stay asleep during the night.
- Irritability and frequent mood swings : reacting in an exaggerated way to stimuli and constantly changing mood.
- Headaches that manifest repeatedly over time.
- Digestive problems : discomfort such as abdominal pain, feeling of nausea, vomiting, etc.
The intensity and duration of these symptoms can vary depending on the person and the situation they are facing.
Treatment of prolonged stress
Addressing prolonged stress appropriately is essential to prevent other complications or long-term effects. High levels of stress in the body can affect your health, so it is essential to see a health professional to treat it. Below, we show you essential recommendations to reduce stress.
Changes in lifestyle
If you want to reduce the symptoms of prolonged stress, you must include healthy habits in your daily routine. Practices such as medication, yoga, breathing exercises, regular exercise a balanced diet and improve the sleeping habits can help you combat prolonged stress.
Psychological Support
Seeking help from mental health professionals is essential. A psychologist will give you tools that will allow you to manage prolonged stress and develop new coping skills and overcome it effectively.
Cognitive-behavioral therapies, such as group therapies or relaxation exercises, are useful for treating prolonged stress.
Medication
In some cases, medical professionals prescribe medications to improve symptoms of stress and its effects secondary, such as anxiolytics, depressants or beta blockers. You should always take them under medical supervision.
Nutritional supplements
Nutritional supplements are of great help to manage prolonged stress and improve mental and physical health. They contain nutrients that can influence the body’s biochemical and physiological processes related to the stress response. First and foremost, consult a health professional before beginning any supplement regimen.
Consequences of prolonged stress
Keeping the body on alert under prolonged stress can cause negative effects on physical and mental health. Some of the consequences of suffering from this condition include:
- Mental disorders such as anxiety or depression, which affect psychological well-being.
- Chronic digestive problems which can cause long-term gastrointestinal upset. •
- Cardiovascular diseases such as coronary heart disease or hypertension.
- Weakening of the immune system and, therefore, greater risk of fighting infections and contracting diseases
- Memory and concentration problems : difficulties remembering information or maintaining attention on specific tasks.
- Addiction risk : greater likelihood of developing physical or psychological dependence on substances such as alcohol or drugs.
The lack of comprehensive treatment adapted to the needs and context of each individual to address prolonged stress can have a significant impact on health and well-being, both physically and emotionally and mentally. In addition, it carries associated long-term risks.
This article is merely informative, at PsychologyFor we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.
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