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Perceived Stress Equals Real Stress
Mild stressors can be simple, ordinary occurrences, such as an alarm clock going off, a new assignment at work, or even the momentary loss of your phone. Acute stress also can be more serious—for example, arguing with a friend, taking a test, or being pulled over for speeding.Whether the threat is real or imagined doesn’t matter; it’s theperceptionthat triggers the stress response.
What Happens in Acute Stress?
During an acute stress response, theautonomic nervous systemis activated. Levels ofcortisol, adrenaline, and other hormones rise and increase the heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure. Blood is shunted from the extremities to the big muscles, preparing the body to fight or run away. This is also known as thefight-or-flight response.
Stress and the BodyDuring an acute stress response, theautonomic nervous systemis activated. Levels ofcortisol, adrenaline, and other hormones rise and increase the heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure.
Stress and the Body
During an acute stress response, theautonomic nervous systemis activated. Levels ofcortisol, adrenaline, and other hormones rise and increase the heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure.
Acute stress is easily managed because it occurs, and then it’s over.It doesn’t wreak the same havoc that chronic stress does because recovery is relatively fast and easy. Simple relaxation techniques can help.
What You Can Do: Strategies for Managing Stress
Chronic, prolonged stress—or repeated instances of acute stress—can take a bigger toll. A constant state of heightened anxiety can have effects on mental and physical health, so a stress management plan is important.The following strategies can help keep acute stress from becoming a problem
Avoid Stress Triggers
Staying away from the little things that always stress you—your tolerations—can help.You can’t eliminate all stress (nor would you want to), but avoiding unnecessary, pointless aggravation can reap big benefits.
Acute Stress Disorder—What to Know About This Intense Stress After Trauma
Learn Relaxation Techniques
18 Effective Stress Relief Strategies
Adopt Resilience-Building Habits
Habits such as meditation and exercisehave been shown to help manage both acute and chronic stress. A morning yoga stretch, a walk in the woods, a self-help podcast during a long drive—whatever relaxes you can help build resilience to stress.
4 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.US National Library of Medicine.Stress.Shrand J, Devine L.Manage Your Stress: Overcoming Stress in the Modern World.St. Martin’s Press. 2012.Thoma MV, La Marca R, Brönnimann R, Finkel L, Ehlert U, Nater UM.The effect of music on the human stress response.PLoS ONE. 2013;(8)8:e70156. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0070156De Bruin EI, Formsma AR, Frijstein G, Bögels SM.Mindful2Work: Effects of Combined Physical Exercise, Yoga, and Mindfulness Meditations for Stress Relieve in Employees. A Proof of Concept Study.Mindfulness (N Y). 2017;(8)1:204-217. doi:10.1007/s12671-016-0593-x
4 Sources
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.US National Library of Medicine.Stress.Shrand J, Devine L.Manage Your Stress: Overcoming Stress in the Modern World.St. Martin’s Press. 2012.Thoma MV, La Marca R, Brönnimann R, Finkel L, Ehlert U, Nater UM.The effect of music on the human stress response.PLoS ONE. 2013;(8)8:e70156. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0070156De Bruin EI, Formsma AR, Frijstein G, Bögels SM.Mindful2Work: Effects of Combined Physical Exercise, Yoga, and Mindfulness Meditations for Stress Relieve in Employees. A Proof of Concept Study.Mindfulness (N Y). 2017;(8)1:204-217. doi:10.1007/s12671-016-0593-x
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
US National Library of Medicine.Stress.Shrand J, Devine L.Manage Your Stress: Overcoming Stress in the Modern World.St. Martin’s Press. 2012.Thoma MV, La Marca R, Brönnimann R, Finkel L, Ehlert U, Nater UM.The effect of music on the human stress response.PLoS ONE. 2013;(8)8:e70156. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0070156De Bruin EI, Formsma AR, Frijstein G, Bögels SM.Mindful2Work: Effects of Combined Physical Exercise, Yoga, and Mindfulness Meditations for Stress Relieve in Employees. A Proof of Concept Study.Mindfulness (N Y). 2017;(8)1:204-217. doi:10.1007/s12671-016-0593-x
US National Library of Medicine.Stress.
Shrand J, Devine L.Manage Your Stress: Overcoming Stress in the Modern World.St. Martin’s Press. 2012.
Thoma MV, La Marca R, Brönnimann R, Finkel L, Ehlert U, Nater UM.The effect of music on the human stress response.PLoS ONE. 2013;(8)8:e70156. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0070156
De Bruin EI, Formsma AR, Frijstein G, Bögels SM.Mindful2Work: Effects of Combined Physical Exercise, Yoga, and Mindfulness Meditations for Stress Relieve in Employees. A Proof of Concept Study.Mindfulness (N Y). 2017;(8)1:204-217. doi:10.1007/s12671-016-0593-x
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