Stress and Its Impact on Physical and Mental Health
Stress is a natural response of the body to challenges, demands, or changes. While short-term stress can sometimes be helpful, chronic or long-term stress can seriously affect both physical and mental health. In today’s fast-paced world, understanding stress and learning how to manage it is essential for overall well-being. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), unmanaged stress is one of the major contributors to mental health conditions and lifestyle-related diseases worldwide. What Is Stress? Stress is the body’s reaction to situations that require attention or action. When faced with stress, the body releases hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline, triggering the “fight or flight” response. Stress can be: Acute stress – short-term and temporary Chronic stress – long-lasting and harmful While the body is designed to handle short bursts of stress, continuous stress can disrupt normal body functions. Common Causes of Stress Stress can come from many areas of life, inclu...