The Impact of stress on the physical and the psychological health
Stress is a common response to life's challenges, both mentally and physically. In small amounts, stress can be beneficial as it can motivate you to perform better. However, when faced with daily struggles (i.e., traffic, illness, and bills) you may experience overwhelming stress that exceeds your coping abilities. Your brain has an inherent alarm system that activates in response to perceived threats, triggering the release of hormones that increase heart rate and blood pressure. This "fight-or-flight" response can help you deal with the threat, but ideally, your body should return to a relaxed state once the "danger" has passed. Unfortunately, the constant demands and expectations of modern life can keep some people's alarm systems activated for prolonged periods of time.