33. Stress

Stress overview

The natural reaction that occurs in the body from real threats, imaginary threats, physical or psychological threats is called stress (Source: Depression or Bipolar Disorder, Dwight L. Evans, MD and etc).

In advance, stress was referred to as “tense” or “pressure.”

It can be tense with worry, frustration, fear, or anger.

This tension is also expressed as stress.

These days, men and women, young and old, the poor and the rich, who haven’t learned any English these days, use the word “stress” to properly express their feelings, even for children aged three years old.

Stress is a global modern language that is used a lot by everyone, regardless of age or gender.

When a developing fetus in the mother’s uterus develops oxygen deficiency, the fetus is stressed and the meconium can be excreted in the womb, which may lead to death sometimes.

Likewise, the fetus is also stressed.

Besides that, pregnant women can be stressed through the five senses of the human body-sight, hearing, see, taste, touch, sense of smell and also emotion (mind), and the fetus in the womb is also stressed.

Stress during some physical exercise can cause bone fractures. This kind of fracture is called stress fractures.

Stress occurs in people of all ages, both men and women, unknowingly over a lifetime, and as a result, existing cells getting age and new cells continue to form.

It is normal for all of us humans to have anger. Also, stress occurs to everyone, and being stressed is normal like anger.

However, too much stress than normal can be very detrimental to human health, and even more severe it can lead to death.

Here’s a look at the stress that occurs in adults and stress in children.

Figure 122. Anterior and posterior lobes of the pituitary gland and the hypothalamus

c-pons, d-medulla, e-thalamus

The mechanism of stress

These five sensory organs-visual, auditory, smell, taste, touch are in our body.

“Think or mind” does not belong to the sensory organs, but like the sensory organs, it participates in causing stress.

“Information generated through sensations and thoughts enters the brain through five sense organs.

The pentagonal information and thought information arrive at the hypothalamus in the cerebrum.

Then, adrenocorticotropic hormone stimulation factor (CRF) is secreted from the hypothalamus and the factor is transferred to the pituitary gland.

Then, adrenal cortical stimulating hormone (ACTH) is secreted from the pituitary gland.

The adrenal cortical stimulating hormone is transmitted to the adrenal cortical endocrine glands, located just above the kidneys. The hormone cortisol is secreted from the adrenal cortical endocrine glands. In addition, epinephrine (adrenaline) and norepinephrine are secreted from the adrenal gland medulla.

The hormones cortisol and epinephrine work together as a defense against stressful situations.

When nerves are stimulated by epinephrine, the functions of organs and tissues of the body’s various systems are promoted.

When the blood concentration of epinephrine increases, the pupils are dilated more and the ability of the eyes to see and find is enhanced.

When the concentration of epinephrine in the blood in the heart vessel increases, the heart rate increases, and when the concentration of epinephrine increased in the blood in the blood vessels of the respiratory system increases, the respiratory rate increases.

Almost the same effect increases the concentration of oxygen in each organ and tissue of each system in the body.

Brain oxygen concentration also is increased, brain function is improved, and judgment is improved.

The blood circulation in the musculoskeletal system is better, the supply of glucose and oxygen in the musculoskeletal cells is improved, and as a result, the musculoskeletal is more energized.

The blood stored in the spleen flows more into the organs and tissues of each system of the body, thereby enhancing the supply of oxygen and nutrition to each tissue.

The skin sweats, blood sugar levels increase in the blood, and their muscle skeleton has more energy.

In this way, When stress occurs, our body responds appropriately to information from the five sensory organs and/or from thoughts.

Without our knowledge, this stress always occurs when we are awake, and when even we are sleeping.

For example, suppose that the stressor that came in through your misconceptions or thoughts is “unfamiliar dog”

Suppose that when you suddenly meet a stranger dog which you don’t know, whether the dog tries to bite you.

At that time, the moment you decide whether to fight against the dog or run away from it, stress arises.

At that time, stress arises in the body to properly resolve the dog attack. Life-supporting defense resources such as epinephrine, cortisol, glucose, immune body, fat, white blood cells, platelets, red blood cells, etc are necessary to properly resolve a dog attack. All organs of the body’s various systems are mobilized in the body’s defense system instantly in stress status.

Similarly, the types and amounts of biochemical substances and hormones produced by our body differ depending on the factor that caused the stress.

For example, when stress is caused by a bacterial infection, the number of white blood cells increases, the amount of complement increases, and the function of the immune system are activated.

When stressed by external or internal bleeding, the number of platelets increases, and blood clotting factors increase.

When exposed to cold temperatures and stressed, the capillaries in the skin are constricted, the pores of the sweat glands are closed, and heat dissipation from the body to the outside of the body is prevented.

When we are under stress, our body proceeds without knowing the defensive action to relieve stress.

In order to defeat an enemy suddenly encountered, blood circulation is energized, glucose concentration in muscle cells is increased, and the musculature of the limbs is poised to attack and defeat the enemy.

When a country is attacked by another country, it is similar to mobilizing all the combat power of that country, such as land force, sea force, air force, etc., which is required to fight against the enemy and to win, and when stressed, all systems of the entire body are mobilized.

When you are under stress, it is common to decide within ⅛ seconds whether to defeat the stress factor or where to escape from the field and prepare accordingly.

When faced with a stressor, all of these defenses’ reactions take place at any time and anywhere during our lives, with little or no knowledge.

When you encounter a factor that induces stress, the degree may vary, but large, small, severe, and mild stress will always occur.

So, you are always in a position whether you are fleeing or fighting against a stressful situation.

In this way, stress is a life-sustaining defense response that normally occurs inevitably in our lives.

However, too much stress suddenly can lead to illness and even death.

Unfortunately, while we are alive and breathing, we cannot completely avoid stress.

Emotions and sorrows cannot go away from us while we are alive, and stress always arises from them.

Stress can occur in positive and negative situations in life.

When we win a prize, when we achieve something, when we win a competition, when we get promoted, when we get admission, when we win a lottery, when we get married, when we want a baby to be born, stress arises. The stress that arises from such a positive life is called positive stress. In other words, the stress that occurs when the things we want are done is called positive stress.

The stress that arises when a family member dies, divorces, separates, or loses hope, is disappointed, fails, is sick, or loses a job, is called negative stress.

If the level of stress is severe, whether positive or negative, stress can destroy humanity.

These positive stresses cannot be avoided while living negative stresses.

We receive the least amount of stress during our lives, whether positive or negative. And we have to work hard to properly handle the stress we have received.

Table 2-7 Stress Factors of Married Couples and Stress Scores (Score)

Thomas Homes and Richard Rake of the Washington Medical School in the U.S. study on situations that induce stress in marital life, the corresponding stress score, and health problems according to the total score of the stress score (1950-1960) .

Scores of situations that cause stress in life	score
Death of spouse	100
Divorce	73
Married parting	65
Imprisonment	63
Death of family relatives	63
When you are sick or injured	53
Marriage	50
When you lose your job	47
Reconciliation in marriage	45
Retirement	45
When your family has health problems	44
Pregnancy	40
When you have trouble making love	39
When a new member of the family is joined	39
When you reorganize your business	39
Changes in economic conditions	38
When a close friend dies	37
When a job you have done so far is changed to another job	36
When marital arguments	35
When the mortgage payment is excessive	31
Bankruptcy due to mortgage or loan	30
When responsibility limits changed at work	29
When a son or a daughter leaves home	29
When you have a legal problem	29
Exceptional personal achievement	28
When your spouse starts or leaves your job	26
When school or vacation begins	26
When living environments change	25
When personal habits change	24
When you have a problem with your boss	23
When working hours and conditions at work change	20
When you move to another place	20
When schools change	20
When to change the entertainment	19
Changing church activities	19
When to change social activities	18
When the mortgage or loan payment is too much	17
When the number of families living together changes	15
When your sleeping habits change	15
When eating habits change	15

① The normal range of the total stress score is 150 points and less. Couples with a normal range score are less ill and less traumatic.

② 37% of couples with a total stress score in the range of 150 to 190 may have better health problems.

③ 50% of couples with a total stress score in the range of 200 to 299 may be more susceptible to disease or trauma.

④ 80% of couples with a total stress score of 300 points may occur to disease or trauma.

⑤ Serious health problems can occur in 90% of couples with a total stress score in the range of 350 to 400 points.

Note: There are no studies on pediatric stress scores in this study.

Factors inducing stress in children and adolescents

The inducer of stress in adults and the inducer of stress in children are somewhat different. Stress inducing factors differ depending on the age of children and adolescents.
Here, we consider the stress-inducing factors that occur mainly in teenagers among children and adolescents.
Death of parents, divorce of parents, separation of parents, stress of parents, discord of parents, death of family, economic problems, school study, homework, decline in grades, school admission, transfer, peer pressure, future problems, reason problems, friendships, bullying, ridicule and teasing (playing), health, illness, clothing, athletic competition, desire for achievement, body image (self-portrait), too tall or short, too heavy or too fat, social anxiety, physical abuse, sexual abuse, runaway, children such as pastors or doctors or attorneys or professors, children of impeccable parents, depression, and other problems can trigger stress.

Effects of stress

The effects on the body, mind, and psychology are different depending on the factors, causes, types, and degrees of stress.
In addition, the effects caused by chronic stress, and those caused by acute stress are different.
In most cases, it is not affected by the slightest stress.
However, anxiety discomfort, chronic fatigue syndrome, and insomnia can occur when under any type of stress. If chronic stress persists, it is easier to get old and die at a younger age.
High blood pressure due to stress, diabetes, chest or abdominal pain, headache, heart attack, peptic ulcer, indigestion, inflammatory enteritis, insomnia, bacterial infection, allergic disease, arthritis, cancer, fractures, muscle pain, headache, hyperactivity disorder, dizziness, almost any illness can occur, including habitual drug addiction, infertility, and abortion. Social anxiety and depression can also occur.

How to properly deal with stress

You can’t live without any stress.
The way adults deal with stress is by positively addressing the factors that cause stress.

Dr. Keeth R Ginsburg, in the February 2007 issue of the US Pediatrics News, recommends addressing childhood stress as follows:

Tackle When You Have a Problem

① When you solve a task, you try to solve it all at once if stress arises. Don’t do it, break the task into small subtasks and solve them one by one.

② Make a list of things to do one by one.

③ If possible, do the assignments before playing. If you play without solving a

the task, you will be worried and stressed with the task while playing.

④ Avoid meeting or going to places, and people who can adversely affect your planting.

⑤ Rather than complaining about what you cannot change, let it be.

Strive to promote physical health

① Do physical exercise properly.

② Relax and rest. When you get angry and nervous, breathe slowly and deeply.

③ Eat enough balanced foods and always eat breakfast without missing out.

④ Drink plenty of plain water instead of drinking soda water or drinks containing sugar.

⑤ Instead of overeating, let’s eat a good amount and instead of eating a lot of fatties

foods, eating more fruits and vegetables.

⑥ Get enough sleep and go to bed at the same time.

⑦ Exercise for at least 3o minutes a day.

⑧ Take a warm shower 1 hour before going to bed.

⑨ Do not try to solve any problems in bed before going to bed.

⑩ Do not do homework in bed, do not watch TV, do not read or call.

⑪ Don’t make too many schedules that you can’t afford.

⑫ Take a short break according to your schedule.

⑬ The home is a safe, stable, comfortable refuge and a hall of peace.

Be good at managing your emotions.

① When you have stress, take a vacation to keep your head off

② Think of a place to relax.

③ Take time every day for yourself.

④ Promote hobbies and interests.

⑤ Although it is small, you appreciate the beautiful things around you and have the heart

to feel and know about small things or things that can be seen and felt normal.

⑥ Do not suppress your emotions, but express them technically appropriately. Express it

in words to others. Sometimes, make an announcement that day in writing. Pray. Smile

and sometimes cry and express

Make a better world like others, help others, they will help you too.

① Help your family

② Eat with your family

③ Get emotional support from other family members and friends and get help in solving

social problems.

④ Provide nourishment to have sound healthy self-esteem and pride.

⑤ Do work to help society

⑥ Participate in helping the natural environment.

How to relieve tension and stress

Apologize if you didn’t do it well.
Ask for help when needed.
Write down a list of to-dos and erase the list of achievements.
Make a plan for what to do in the future.
Do one thing at a time.
Sleep well at night
Wake up at least 15 minutes early.
To hear the birds crying in the morning.
Learn to say “no”.
Talk to a friend.
Spend the evening without TV.
Go for a walk.
Whatever you do, you can rest and stretch.
Drink beverages wisely.
When you laugh a lot, hormones are secreted and that hormones can reduce stress, immune functions are strengthened, all diseases are prevented, and you become are younger.
This is an article that reconfirms the word ‘ a smile makes you younger’.