Wait a second!
More handpicked essays just for you.
More handpicked essays just for you.
Effects of stress on health and wellbeing
Effects of stress on health and wellbeing
Effects of stress on health and wellbeing
Don’t take our word for it - see why 10 million students trust us with their essay needs.
Recommended: Effects of stress on health and wellbeing
Existence of distinct links between psychological stressors and a persons’ overall health have been proven through various objective studies. The degree of the stress response can also be directly linked to the severity of its effects. Specific research indicates that stress is related to increased risk of improper immune system functioning, liver disease, and coronary artery disease.
When exposed to environmental threats, the body’s immune system carries out dynamic processes through the secretion of various chemicals and production of various kinds of cells, to maintain homeostasis. Whether the stressor is acute or chronic, research now indicates that psychological stress has a strong connection to immune system functioning, “through specific autonomic and neuroendocrine pathways.” In fact, “…the magnitude of the physiological response to an acute stressor is related to the objective intensity of the stressor” (Hawkley, & Cacioppo, 2003). The dynamic process begins with an acute, sequential, or chronic stressor; ranging from taking a test to being in an unhealthy relationship. The body’s immune system then reacts to that stressor by secreting neurotransmitters such as adrenaline and cortisol, to prepare the body to fight or flee. Even though this naturally occurring process is essential, frequent exposure to subjectively perceived stressors leads to alterations in the functions of certain cells of the immune system. These alterations ultimately result in an over or under reaction of immune system (Reeves, 2008). According to Reeves, physician and director of research and development, “… [an] over-reactive immune system can result in allergies, asthma, chronic inflammation, and autoimmune diseases” (Reeves, 2008). I...
... middle of paper ...
... also be argued as an indirect link as well. Stress is arguably linked to cigarette smoking, hypertension, and hypercholesterolemia. Therefore, all of these can be considered indirect links that lead to a vicious cycle between the effect of stress and the use of stress-invoking coping mechanisms such as smoking.
Thus, chronic exposure to psychological stressors increases the risk of decreased proper immune system functioning, liver disease, and coronary artery disease. Through the use of objective studies, strong correlations between stress and an individual’s overall health have been shown. Understanding the implications of such research is important to ensure correct and effective treatments of illnesses and disorders are prescribed. Ultimately, recognition of personalized stressors and coping methods could lead individuals to an overall healthier life.
though, stress alone does not need to be perceived only negatively, the impacts of stress on human well-being can be problematical. This essay examines what stress is and an evidence relating stress and poor psychological well-being with the focus on distinguishing between different kinds of stressors and presenting a whole scale of negative effects both with potential solutions. Understanding stress can be as challenging as stress itself. From a biological point of view, stress is a reaction of body
Stress can have both psychological and physical effects on the members of the workforce. And while the specific effect may differ from one individual to the next, and in particular the effect on physical health will certainly differ from one job to another, a construction worker will most certainly experience different health issues than a secretary, for instance, physical health. Research conducted in the field of occupational health psychology has found evidence linking health and mortality in individuals
Part A: Stress has various effects on the body, both psychological and physiological. Stress can have positive effects on the body and can be beneficial, but frequent stress will eventually cause negative effects on the body. Hans Selye defined stress as “the non-specific response of the body to any demand for change.” He later defined it as “the rate of wear and tear on the body.” Stress can be good because the pressure placed on someone can motivate them to complete the tasks ahead of them. From
countries such as India, long-term health conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, pose major challenges for health care systems. They affect is measured not just in terms of economic development but also as the general quality of life of the population of the country. Diabetes Mellitus is a group
and/or prayer (Unruh 2007; Castiglioni, 1975). Focusing in on prayer, evidence supports that prayer can be used as a coping mechanism for health concerns. Positive forms of religious coping have had explicit effects on both mental and physical health. Therefore, resulting in more overall positive
this is achieved through nursing intervention to reduce the stressors. Stressors in the intrapersonal, interpersonal, and extra personal environment can influence the potential or actual reaction in system, therefore, the main purpose of nursing is assessing the patient to gain system stability through the attainment, retention, and maintenance optimal health and it is the nurse that creates a link among the client, environment, and health and leads to the stability of the system (Parvan, Zamanzadeh
physical and psychological challenges. The potential for physical debilitation, mental trauma and even death is a constant stressor for law enforcement agencies and individuals. The evolution of police work has demanded that the individual engaged is physically, mentally, and emotionally prepared to handle the hazards of the job. The processes used in the selection of potential police
different ways. Personality and individual differences can affect our health, social relationships, academic and occupational success. Researchers have proposed four likely ways in which personality and health could be linked (Maltby, Day & Macaskill, 2013). There could be a direct link between personality and illness, in that personality traits can cause illness, a correlational link, a mediated link and another direct link, in that illness causes personality change. In terms of social relationships
nurses Issue: Burnout is prevalent among newly graduated nurses, affecting 1 of 5 nurses in the first three years of their career (Rudman & Gustavsson, 2011, p.293). Our goal is to prevent burnout among newly graduated nurses by minimizing the psychological distress they experience in their first few years as a nurse. Background: A current study shows that 66% of new graduate nurses experience severe burnout due to poor workplace environment (Laschinger & Fida, 2014, p. 20). Rudman and Gustavsson
Self-Compassion and Motivation in Undergraduate Students A review of the empirical literature on the topics of self-compassion, motivation and undergraduate college students was conducted by examining articles in peer reviewed journal from the dates 2003 to 2015. The research on Self-Compassion began with two seminal articles published by Kristen Neff in 2003, thus creating a starting point for this review. The following databases were searched: ProQuest Central, Jstore, APApsychnet, ProQuest
Literature Review Burnout is defined as the “psychological reaction to the continuous exposure to work stress” (Goong, Xu, & Li, 2016, p. 2). It involves prolonged exposure to stress resulting in emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and negative self-evaluation (Wang, Liu, & Wang, 2015). Registered nurses are at increased risk for burnout due to their daily interactions with patients and family members (Goong et al., 2016). Nurses affected by burnout often have poor relationships with colleagues
In the past, research has shown that the black-American community’s exposure to social inequality and discrimination has had a negative impact on their mental health. To summarize this general theory, Dr. Kwame McKenzie states, “In the USA, interpersonal discrimination has been associated with increased rates of hypertension, depression and stress” (Chakraborty). Despite the several social and technological advances that the United States has made over the past few decades, we have not necessarily
result in serious and sometimes fatal health problems. It is ironic that stress can lead to major health concerns, yet some of the most stressed people are those in the healthcare profession. According to an article from the Nursing Standard, stress is a leading cause of illness and depression among nurses (Jones-Berry, 2013). Several studies have shown that there is a direct link between stress, depression and illness and often times nurses fall victim to this link because of poor work environments
perhaps be best to determine the causes of EDs in general and then find out the type of ED they lead to consequently. Several reasons have been forward as causes of EDs, and these can be broadly classified into biological, social, environmental and psychological. On the biological level, there is perhaps heredity and as far as the environmental issues are concerned, family inadequacy and peer pressure to conform to a certain image. This may in turn be related to the social aspect, mainly with popular figures
can negatively affect an employee’s performance. Oftentimes when employees are stressed, burnt out or dealing with compassion fatigue, their commitment at their job may begin to weaken and they may lose job satisfaction (Harris & Griffon, 2015). All health care providers are at a major risk for compassion fatigue and burnout, especially registered nurses because they are the leading care giver for patients. Nurses are empathetic and compassionate; it’s a main trait of the profession