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Surely, most everyone has experienced stress but do you know what it actually is and how it affects the human body? Stress can stem from both major and minor events. It all depends on our emotional reaction to the event at hand that will determine whether it produces stress in your body. Changing jobs, ending a relationship, moving to a new town or just planning for a birthday party can induce levels of stress. It may not seem like such a big deal after the stress subsides, but in face the negative effects of too much stress associated with being under pressure can affect your health.

Your body reacts in three ways when presented with stress . First is mobilizes energy. Your body releases adrenaline which causes a rapid heart rate and shorter, quickened breaths. Next you consume your energy stores. If you remain in the first stage of stress for a period of time you body starts to release the stored sugars and fats in the body. The release of these energy stores leads to anxiety, negative thinking, memory loss, and depleted energy levels. Your immune system is also not as strong and you are more likely to get sick.  The last stage is draining energy stores. If the stress is ongoing you will basically drain your energy sources. Under stress you body needs more fuel to keep on going and if you have drained all of your excess stores your body may start to shut down in some ways. At this stage many people experience sleeping problems, personality changes, and altered patterns of thinking. Illnesses such as heart disease, mental illness, and stomach problems are also common if someone is under extreme stress for a long period of time. 

Coping with stress can be a difficult task. You need to be willing to make big life changes in order to avoid high levels of stress at all times. This may include quitting your job, leaving a relationship, or making another difficult decision. Because everyone is different, there is no one way to deal with stress. If you are experiencing high levels of stress it is a good idea to talk to a doctor or a therapist in order to get it under control before it takes a toll on your health and quality of life.