Acute stress is the body’s reaction to unpleasant stimuli, which can affect people of all ages. For example, a baby crying a lot can be a sign of stress. In the same way, hair loss, intestinal problems or nail biting can signal the same feeling in adults.
Although it is common, acute stress needs to be controlled to minimize its consequences . That is, especially at work, it is essential to manage emotions to maintain productivity, even in the face of adversity. Therefore, those who fail to achieve this goal fall behind.
So, do you want to learn more about the symptoms and how to treat acute stress? Keep reading!
What is acute stress?
As we explained, acute stress is a way for the body to react to situations that are out of control or that require a lot of adaptation . This could be waiting in traffic or in line at the bank, excessive noise, moving house, mess, etc.
Can you relate? It is normal for people to experience acute stress occasionally. After all, everyday life is full of stimuli that can displease us. However, at times this feeling can be constant, which is already a characteristic of chronic stress.
That is, acute stress is intense but temporary. It usually appears suddenly, as a response to an unpleasant situation. This is the case with the death of a loved one. Chronic stress, although milder, is common in everyday life.
In practice, when moments like this arise, the body increases the production of cortisol, a hormone linked to stress . In addition, adrenaline and noradrenaline are stimulated in the body. This stimulation is a way for the body to deal with such tribulations, as it leaves the individual in a state of alert.
What are the main causes of acute stress?
Acute stress can arise from personal or professional issues and can also be intensified depending on the personality and context in which each person lives. See below the most common causes for the development of this condition.
Work
When talking directly about acute stress at work, it is necessary to analyze the context in which many professionals find themselves. Unemployment rates rise especially during periods of economic crisis . This increases the tension caused by the possibility of being fired or looking for new professional opportunities.
On the other hand, those who remain employed throughout the employment crisis also tend to deal with the consequences, such as an overload of demands, a reduction in salary and other unhealthy issues that affect their emotional state.
Emotional
Emotional issues can also throw us off balance when we need to deal with them. This can involve relationship crises, disappointments, the death of someone close to us, the discovery of an illness, etc.
As mentioned, the onset and level of acute stress also depend on a number of issues . Thus, what causes this feeling in one person may not have the same result in another, and vice versa.
What are the main symptoms of acute stress?
You’ve already understood the causes behind acute stress. Now it’s time to discover the main symptoms that arise with it. In this sense, the signs can be psychological or physical, such as:
- bruxism;
- sweating;
- tachycardia;
- muscle tension;
- nausea;
- anxiety;
- anguish;
- difficulty concentrating;
- hypersensitivity;
- irritability;
- memory loss;
- frequent negativity.
Some symptoms cause more harm than others, as they affect physical health and work performance . Learn about the effects of acute stress on areas of the brain and the body as a whole!
Insomnia
You lie down to sleep, but thoughts about work or your personal life take up too much space in your mind and sleep is kept at bay. Can you relate? This is insomnia, which affects the quality of sleep. This is a problem that makes it difficult for the body to rest properly to recharge its batteries.
Low immunity
Low immunity occurs when the immune system is unable to defend itself as it should and the individual becomes more prone to illness. This problem is among the symptoms of acute stress because insomnia impairs immunity . In addition, excessive production of the aforementioned hormones unbalances the immune system.
Constant tiredness
When an individual has low immunity and cannot sleep well , they often feel fatigued. This is because the body becomes unwell after moments of tension and needs to slow down to recover lost energy .
Sadness
The intense release of hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline can also affect mood and cause sadness . In fact, studies conducted at the University of Cambridge show that high levels of cortisol increase the risk of depression by up to 14 times. The explanation is that the high concentration of these hormones can unbalance the levels of other neurotransmitters that promote happiness and emotional balance , such as serotonin, endorphins and dopamine .
How to treat acute stress?
After checking out the most common symptoms of acute stress, you may have identified with some of them. Therefore, it is important to learn how to alleviate this problem so that it does not compromise your physical and mental health. Follow along!
Practice physical activities
Physical exercise helps to improve the immune system, prevent insomnia and increase energy . Indirectly, it also helps to ward off stress related to these health problems. It also releases hormones associated with feelings of happiness.
Have a healthy diet
Another good habit to help control acute stress is eating a healthy diet . This is because it helps balance the body and improves quality of life, as it wards off symptoms related to acute stress.
Seek medical help
Some levels of acute stress are more difficult to control and prevent. Therefore, it is important to seek professional help to identify the most common causes of the problem and draw up a combat plan . In some cases, referral to other professionals and the use of herbal medicines may be the best solution.
Have you been able to understand the effects of acute stress on areas of the brain? By learning more about the problem, it becomes easier to prevent and combat it. After all, as you have observed, this condition can cause many harms to the health of the body and mind.