What can stress cause?

Stress is a natural and physiological reaction of the body which allows us to flee or cope depending on the situation we find ourselves in.

If stress is controlled, lasts for a short period of time and does not cause unpleasant physical sensations, it is considered a driving force and performance accelerator. A good bout of stress allows you to run away from an aggressor, to revise more effectively before an important exam, or to give a public speech even better than in rehearsals.

However, if stress is chronic and too intense, it can decrease performance and have serious effects on mental and physical health.

When exposed to stress, the body generates an adaptation reaction consisting of three stages: the alarm phase, the resistance phase and the exhaustion phase.

The different phases of stress

As with sleep , stress is broken down into these three distinct phases:

• The alarm phase: the body prepares for fight or flight, the first symptoms of stress begin to be felt. To defend itself, the body produces cortisol (a stress hormone) and adrenaline to increase its energy level, heart rate, blood pressure and body temperature. Alertness, thinking and senses (sight, smell, hearing, etc.) are thus greatly increased during this phase.

• The resistance phase: if stress persists, the body enters the resistance phase. The body tries to find a new balance by secreting more cortisol, and by producing neurotransmitters in large quantities such as dopamine (linked to motivation) and serotonin (linked to well-being). 

• The exhaustion phase: If stress is prolonged or intensified, the body exhausts its resources (physical, emotional and mental) and enters the exhaustion phase. The main signs of this phase are chronic fatigue, irritability, high anxiety, or a weakening of the immune system.

 

The different symptoms of stress

Each individual reacts differently to stress, which means that reactions are very varied. Some people somatize and experience physical symptoms, while others suffer from mood swings or loss of self-confidence.

Symptoms related to stress can be physical, psychological or emotional. The most common are fatigue, irritability, trembling, crying, cognitive difficulties (concentration, attention, learning, etc.), various pains (stomach, head, etc.), skin manifestations (eczema, hives), hair loss, heart palpitations, eating disorders, sleep disorders or even a depressive or nervous state.

Stress-related symptoms can occur in many situations (at work, at school, during pregnancy, etc.) and can have different causes such as traffic pressure, bad news, work overload, an important exam, relationship difficulties, financial problems or even a health problem.

The effects of stress on the body

 

It often happens that we are stressed without realizing it. The body is responsible for transmitting signals that we must know how to interpret in order to intervene in time.

The effects of stress on the body are numerous and can lead to harmful consequences on health:

• A weakened immune system: Stress hormones weaken the immune system, increasing the risk of getting sick more easily.

• Muscle or joint pain: stress causes muscle and joint pain (in the back, neck, legs, etc.) which is difficult to treat because the cause is not organic.

• Headaches: stress can also cause neurological symptoms such as headaches (cephalgia, migraine, etc.), and in some cases, mood swings or memory loss.

• Digestive disorders: Stress can cause complex reactions that affect the digestive system. The most common digestive symptoms are stomach aches, gastroesophageal reflux, nausea and diarrhea. Stress can also cause irritable bowel syndrome, the symptoms of which include bloating, diffuse abdominal pain and digestive disorders (constipation and/or diarrhea).

• A cardiovascular risk: when stress is chronic, it can have consequences on the heart by increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease and causing high blood pressure.

Stress can also trigger heart attacks or strokes. People at greatest risk are those with coronary heart disease.

Tips to reduce stress

Fortunately, there are effective solutions to reduce stress and prevent its adverse effects.

Here are 5 simple tips to apply in everyday life:

• Exercise: Exercise is a real stress reliever, it allows the brain to release a series of calming hormones and neurotransmitters that help to better manage stress (endorphins, dopamine or serotonin). Practicing at least 30 minutes of daily physical activity thus offers a feeling of well-being and promotes a state of relaxation.

• Do meditation: Meditation is an activity that helps to remove stress and pain, better manage emotions, improve mood and promote relaxation. Through breathing, meditation helps to free the mind from ideas of the past and worries about the future, to focus only on the present moment.

• Develop your creativity: doing an artistic activity (music, writing, drawing, painting, dancing, etc.) is effective for relaxing and reducing stress. There are adult coloring books that are useful for promoting concentration, freeing and calming the mind.

• Laugh and socialize: Laughing is an action that can provoke positive emotions during a stressful situation, and thus help to overcome stress more easily. In addition, spending time and exchanging with certain people on different aspects of life can reassure, comfort and improve mood.

• Use anti-stress plants: many plants have anti-stress properties that are effective in combating anxiety, nervousness and anguish. They can be consumed in the form of infusions, tablets, capsules or even gummies.

Délicure offers stress gummies . Vegan, natural and made in France to reduce the harmful effects of stress on the body. They contain anti-stress plant extracts (rhodiola, saffron and holy basil), vitamin B6 (essential for the synthesis of certain neurotransmitters) and the amino acid GABA (an important neurotransmitter of the central nervous system).

A course of these gummies has the effect of protecting the nervous system against stress and anxiety, and thus promotes relaxation and well-being.

Délicure also offers CBD products in the form of CBD oils , gummies and CBD candies . They are made in France with high quality CBD, and do not contain THC.

Increasingly popular in France, CBD is a molecule derived from the hemp plant, known for its relaxing and pain-relieving effects. Unlike THC, it does not cause psychoactive effects and does not create addiction. Consuming CBD can therefore help combat stress and relieve the pain caused by it.

They can be consumed at any time of the day, during a stressful situation or a state of overwork. Being natural, they do not cause side effects, nor addiction, and have no danger to health.

It is obviously recommended to consult a doctor if you suffer from chronic stress or severe anxiety disorders that affect your quality of life, to find appropriate medical treatment.