Stress

Stress

A state of worry or mental tension; a body response to difficult or overwhelming situations

Stress response triggers

Perceived threat → amygdala → hypothalamus activates fight or flight → adrenal glands release adrenaline.

Amygdala when under stress

Interprets threat & alerts hypothalamus

Hypothalamus when under stress

Activates fight or flight

Adrenal glands during stress

Releases adrenaline & cortisol

Short term stress effects

Increased heart rate, high blood pressure, faster breathing, blood go from brain to muscles

Short term stress benefits

Boost performance & prepares body for immediate action

Prolonged cortisol exposure effects

High blood pressure, metabolism/digestive issues, immune system & reproductive issues

Long term stress mental impacts

Anxiety, depression, impaired memory & concentration

Emotional indicators of stress

Irritability, mood swings, anxiety, feeling overwhelmed.

Physical indicators of stress

Headaches, fatigue, muscle tension, sleep problems.

Cognitive indicators of stress

Forgetfulness, poor concentration, racing thoughts.

Acute stress

Short-term stress (minutes–hours), performance enhancing (AKA eustress)

Chronic stress

Long-term stress that impairs hormones, immune system, and performance (AKA distress)

Stress response stages

Alarm → resistance → exhaustion

HPA Axis (Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis)

Hypothalamus, Pituitary gland, & Adrenal gland pathway to regulating cortisol & stress

Cortisol

Steroid hormone produced by adrenal glands, regulates stress response

Cortisol measurement methods

Blood, saliva, hair, urine

Catecholamines

Hormones & neurotransmitters produced in response to stress

8-OHdG

DNA damage marker cause by oxidative stress

Endocrine

System of glands/organs that produce & release hormone

Sleep effects on stress

Lack of stress → raised cortisol, overreactive amygdala, weakens prefrontal cortex
Oversleeping → grogginess, cortisol levels too low

Animals & stress

Interaction with animals increases oxytocin, decreases cortisol, blood pressure, heart rate

Music influences on stress

Type of music can raise or decrease stress, silence does not affect