Acute and Chronic Stress
Stress is our body’s response to a demand placed on it, we experience stress when there is an imbalance between the demands being made on us and our resources to deal with those demands.
Stress is not a diagnosable mental illness. Stress is a normal condition, experienced by everyone at some point in time. Stress is not always a negative thing; some people thrive on stress and even need it to get things done.
What Is The Difference Between “Acute” and “Chronic” Stress?
An acute stress reaction occurs when symptoms develop due to a particularly stressful event. The word 'acute' means the symptoms develop quickly but do not usually last too long. An acute stress reaction typically occurs after an unexpected life crisis. This might be, for example, a serious accident, sudden bereavement, or other traumatic events.
Chronic stress is a prolonged and constant feeling of stress that can negatively affect your health if it goes untreated. It can be caused by things such as everyday pressures of family, work, and finances.
The long-term activation of the stress response system and the overexposure to cortisol and other stress hormones that follows can disrupt almost all your body's processes. This puts you at increased risk of many health problems, including:
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Anxiety
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Depression
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Digestive problems
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Headaches
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Muscle tension and pain
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Heart disease
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Heart attack
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High blood pressure
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Stroke
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Sleep problems
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Weight gain
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Memory and concentration impairment
That's why I am here to educate you on healthy ways to cope with your life stressors.
How Can Naturopathy Help With Acute and Chronic Stress?
Dietary and lifestyle measures can be taken to better assist with mood regulation and neurotransmitter function.
Practitioner only vitamins and mineral therapy can be prescribed to assist with healthy nervous system function and herbal treatment may be given based on the symptoms you are presenting with.
If you are experiencing acute or chronic stress, please get in touch, I would love to work alongside you using my expertise I am available in Melbourne CBD for a 1:1 appointment or via Telehealth.
