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The term stress is comparably a new concept for humanity that continues to evolve. Yet, although the term is relatively new, the feelings associated with mental pressure are far from foreign. Throughout time, coping mechanisms or solutions have developed to handle the pressure.
Digging Into the History of the Term
Before the 14th century, the concept was not something commonly discussed. It was minimally associated with a psychological state, besides possible implications. The term had more to do with hardship, adversity, and some affliction.
In the 18th and 19th centuries, people used the term concerning engineering, such as “stress, strain, resilience, pressure, and elasticity” to explain certain materials’ effects.
When Did Stress Begin to Be Used Relating to Health?
In 1915, Walter Cameron adopted the term in his profession, detailing the flight-or-fight response from the body’s nervous system. Later in 1936, Hans Selye added to the already developed ideas on stress, a “three-stage process know as the general adaptation syndrome (GAS).”
Selye asserted that in reaction to external pressure, the body primarily uses physical resources to tend to or get away from the situation; this is the alarm stage. The name of the second stage is resistance, which includes efforts to manage external pressure. Finally, the third stage is entitled exhaustion, which encompasses the incapability to cope or escape the tension if a person is continually exposed to aggravation.
He bypassed using the actual word stress until 1946 because he was knowledgeable that it was tightly related to the concepts of ” ‘nervous strain’ ” and did not want to receive criticism for improperly using the term.
How Stress Is Viewed
In general, this feeling includes biochemical, physiological, behavioral, and psychological effects using research terms. Healthline explains it is a mental and physical reaction to experiences we have in life.
During stressful the hypothalamus, a minuscule control tower of the brain, of the body, sends out hormones that stimulate the body’s “fight or flight response,” making a person’s breath quicken, their heart races, and muscles prepare for action.
Now, stress can be a good thing because it is intrinsically designed to protect the body during an emergency by initiating a quick response to the situation. However, when the hormone is continuously activated, it could be bad for overall health. It can cause anxiety, headaches, insomnia, irritability, and possible symptoms of depression.
Healthy Ways To Cope
The CDC suggests the following are some ways to help handle being overwhelmed:
- Make time to do enjoyable healthy activities.
- Take breaks when feeling stressed.
- Take care of the body through eating balanced meals and exercising.
- Be okay with reaching out if additional help is needed, like talking to a psychologist or professional counselor.
Moreover, another beneficial mechanism in coping is reading the Word of God and what it says about stress.
Biblical verses such as Philippians 4:6 say, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”
In Matthew 11:28-30, readers will find a declaration coming from Jesus:
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Additionally, Psalm 118:5-6 provides evidence of what will happen when people go to the Lord in times of anxiety:
Out of my distress I called on the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me free. The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?
Anytime a person experiences life’s pressures, they can be encouraged because there are solutions available.
Written by Ke’Lena Thomas
Edited by Sheena Robertson and Cathy Milne
Sources:
Health Central: A Brief History of the Term ‘Stress;’ by Jerry Kennard, Ph.D.
Healthline: The Effects of Stress on Your Body; by Ann Pietrangelo
CDC: Coping with Stress
Bible Gateway: Phillipians 4:6 (ESV); Matthew 11:28-30 (ESV); Psalm 118:5-6 (ESV)
Top and Featured Image Courtesy of Skeyndor’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
Inset Image Courtesy of Nicholas LabyrinthX’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License