How many kinds of stress are you dealing with right now? You may be surprised to know, there are SIX major types of stress. When you know the stress you are experiencing, then you can manage it better.
Some Stress is Okay, But Too Much Can Hurt You
Stress is like a double-edged sword for our health. In manageable doses, it can actually be good for you and boost your resilience. It can motivate you to push forward to new heights and it can boost your focus and energy. It can even make your body release hormones to raise your performance, both mentally and physically.
But too much stress has the opposite effect. It can affect your mood, your sleep, and your overall health. It’s linked with high blood pressure, heart disease, depression, and more. Having an outlet to manage stress (like a hobby or exercise!) is a major component of living a healthy lifestyle.
Recognizing stress is the first step to managing it!
The 6 Most Common Types of Stress:
1. Acute stress: The most common form of stress, it’s usually a response to an immediate challenge. This could be something like speaking to a group, dealing with a one-time difficult situation, or taking a test. Feeling this kind of stress can actually be helpful because it keeps you alert and focused.
2. Episodic acute stress: This is when you have a lot of acute stress in your life, like a high-stress job or when you’re juggling a lot of responsibilities and challenges at the same time. If this type of stress lasts too long, it can affect your health.
3. Chronic stress: This takes that acute stress and stretches it out over a long period of time with little to no break. Common causes include a difficult job, money problems, relationship problems, etc. Chronic stress can have severe effects on your physical and mental health.
4. Traumatic stress: This occurs when something bad happens, like an accident, natural disaster, or violence. It can cause long-lasting emotional & psychological effects.
5. Psychological stress: This is when you experience negative thoughts, depression/hopelessness, and low self-esteem. It can be caused by trauma or chronic stress.
6. Physiological stress: This is caused by physical problems like medical problems, illness, or injuries. It doesn’t only affect your body, but also your mental and emotional well-being, and over time it can turn into chronic stress.
Bottom Line: Don’t let stress take over your life! You have the power to manage your stress and lead a happier, healthier life. Your self-care is a great starting point to change how you relate to the stressors in your life. Remember, self-care is not selfish, it’s necessary! Get my guide, Unflappable: 24 Easy Stress-Relief Strategies for Lawyers to get started managing your stress. Wishing you a stress-less and fulfilling day.