Definition of Stress

The definition of stress is slightly different depending on who is asked, but if you're feeling it, you probably have a pretty good idea of what it is.

Biological Stress

On an evolutionary level, stress is the failure to adapt to change. Even though we're not literally evolving on a daily basis, this definition of stress probably resonates with you when you feel anxiety about a new job, your kids moving away from home or any other changes in your life.

This kind of biological stress can also be brought about by physical stress and is often dealt with beginning with the fight or flight response, then by attempting to cope with or resist the stress (if it could not be physically escaped) and finally exhaustion.

This series of steps is known as General Adaptation Syndrome, and it will sound familiar to anyone with a high-stress job who is suffering burnout, because every day feels like this to you.

Components of a Definition of Stress

Of course stress isn't just physical and biological, there's a big emotional component to feeling stressed out. While stress feels different to everyone, the physical and emotional components of stress might include:

• Fatigue
• Headaches
• Depression or a feeling of despair
• Anger
• Eating disorder (either eating a lot or very little)
• Alcoholism
• Stomachache
• Backache
• Insomnia
• Anxiety
• Panic attacks
• Other mental disorders

Stress can be very serious and lead to real physical problems that won't go away unless the root cause of the stress is treated. While it may be possible to bring yourself some quick stress relief, these solutions are often temporary.

You may need the help of a doctor or mental health professional to get to the root of your stress and to help you determine better ways to relax and cope with stress or to get yourself out of a stressful situation, if necessary.

When Stress is a Good Thing

There's another kind of stress known as eustress, which is actually a healthy kind of stress that gives you a feeling of fulfillment when you are out of the stressful situation.

This definition of stress might make sense to people in stressful jobs such as doctors and firefighters, because even though you feel stress through the day form having to deal with emergencies, at the end of the day you feel good about the work you have done.

The trouble with even good stress is that it can take a toll on the body, and long term you might not always feel so fulfilled. If you're in a high-stress job or even just a challenging working environment you need to watch out to make sure that your eustress doesn't turn into distress, burnout and a feeling of despair and no longer feeling good about the work you do.

Calming Down Your Stress Levels

Once you've spent some time thinking about what stress means to you and where stress comes from in your own life, you'll begin to develop mechanisms for dealing with that stress that you can't get rid of.

Many people find that eating a healthy diet and exercising are two great ways to keep feelings of stress from becoming too much. Of course it's important not to stress out when you can't be perfect when it comes to food and physical activity, but when you've had a bad day it's really great to take the time to practice some self-care and have a nice meal or go for a walk around the neighborhood.

Understanding what we mean when we talk about stress is the key to recognizing feelings of stress when they begin in your body so you can stop, take some deep breaths or do whatever relaxes you. This way you can nip a little twinge of stress in the bud before it spirals into a feeling that will ruin your day and maybe even bring about an anxiety attack.

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