By Jason Hreha

Glossary

Stress

Reviewed by Jason Hreha

Published 2 min read

What is stress?

Stress is a psychological and physiological response to threats, challenges, or demands. It can prepare you to act. It can also interfere with performance and, when prolonged or excessive, contribute to health problems.

Acute and chronic stress

Acute stress is a short-term response to a particular event. Heightened alertness may help with one task and hinder another. Chronic stress involves continuing or recurring demands, such as persistent financial difficulty or conflict at work.

The terms eustress and distress distinguish a challenge experienced as manageable or motivating from one experienced as overwhelming or threatening. The same situation need not feel the same to everyone.

What happens in the body?

The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, or HPA axis, is one part of the response. The hypothalamus releases CRH, which prompts the pituitary to release ACTH. ACTH then stimulates cortisol release from the adrenal cortex. Cortisol helps mobilize energy and regulates several processes; its effects depend on timing and duration.

The sympathetic nervous system also helps prepare the body for action. The familiar “fight-or-flight” description captures part of this response, including changes in heart rate and blood pressure.

Stress, the brain, and immunity

Stress is associated with changes in circuits involved in memory, emotion, and executive function. Much detailed evidence about cellular changes comes from animals. It should not be used to diagnose what is happening in one person's brain.

A meta-analysis of more than 300 human studies found different immune patterns for acute and chronic stress. An immune-system change is not the same as proof that stress will cause an infection or autoimmune disease in a particular person.

Ways of coping

  • Problem-focused coping addresses the source of a demand: resolving a conflict, changing an unworkable schedule, or obtaining practical help. Emotion-focused coping addresses the response to it. The useful approach depends partly on what can be changed.
  • Relaxation practices are another option to explore. NIMH lists meditation, muscle relaxation, and breathing exercises among possible activities, alongside enjoyable hobbies. The useful choice can differ between people; a practice is not a substitute for addressing an avoidable demand.
  • Social support can supply reassurance, information, or practical assistance. These are different forms of help. The important question is what this person needs in this situation.

Sleep, activity, and daily routines

Stress can disrupt sleep, and poor sleep can make stress harder to manage. Physical activity can support mood and sleep. Choose activities that suit the person and their health.

Regular meals and adequate hydration can support energy and concentration. Responses to caffeine and alcohol vary.

When more support is needed

Professional support may help when stress is persistent, severe, or disrupts daily life. Approaches such as cognitive-behavioral therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy should be considered according to the problem and the evidence for that use.

Why it matters

Stress is more than a feeling and more than a cortisol level. Understanding it requires attention to the demands, the person's response, and what would actually help. Sometimes that means changing how someone copes. Sometimes it means changing what they are being asked to cope with.

Sources and further reading