Modern life, with all its advancements, has brought unprecedented psychological pressures. Traffic, job concerns, financial worries, and social expectations have exposed people to chronic, exhausting stress. To manage this situation, we must first understand what stress is and how it affects us. Stress is the body’s natural reaction to situations perceived as threatening or beyond one’s abilities [1]. This reaction was originally an evolutionary survival mechanism; however, in today’s world, this response, designed for short-term threats, often remains chronically active and causes harm.
Stress has two main types: acute stress and chronic stress. Acute stress is an immediate, short-term response that can be beneficial and improve performance, for example before an exam or speech. Chronic stress occurs when a person is exposed to stressors for a long period. This type of stress is exhausting and harmful, and can lead to physical and mental illnesses [2]. Recognising this difference is important, because many of us experience acute stress but fail to manage it in time, gradually entering the chronic stage.
Chronic stress affects almost all body systems. In the cardiovascular system, it increases the risk of heart disease and stroke. People with chronic stress are more prone to heart attacks [3]. The immune system weakens, making the body vulnerable to infections. The digestive system suffers problems such as stomach ulcers and irritable bowel syndrome. Muscles and skeleton become tense, leading to tension headaches and back pain. Ultimately, continuous stress depletes energy reserves and creates constant fatigue.
The psychological impact of stress is sometimes more destructive than its physical effects. Chronic stress raises baseline anxiety levels and keeps a person constantly on alert. There is a two-way relationship between chronic stress and depression [4]. Stress affects the memory centre in the brain, impairing recall and concentration. A person under chronic stress has a low tolerance threshold and becomes angry more quickly. Stress also disrupts the natural sleep cycle, causing insomnia. Ancient texts have referred to this truth: humans are created in hardship [5]; this means life comes with challenges and we must be prepared to face them. Understanding stress and its effects is the first step in managing it. The next note will discuss practical strategies.
References
[1] Yousefi, Mohammad Taghi. Psychology of Stress. Tehran: Samt Publications, 2016, p. 23.
[2] Pournaimi, Saeed. The Effect of Stress on Heart Disease. Quarterly Journal of Health Psychology, No. 18, 2017, p. 45.
[3] Ibid., p. 48.
[4] Tajeri, Mohammad Reza. Anxiety and Stress. Tehran: Roshd Publications, 2015, p. 112.
[5] The Holy Quran, Surah Al-Balad, Verse 4.
