The Phases Of Stress, From Alarm To Exhaustion

The phases of stress are different stages or levels in the evolution of this problem. It must be said that this condition is dynamic: it mutates, it changes. Often, imperceptibly, it begins to progress towards more serious stages, which can even be life-threatening.

There is no doubt that stress is one of the great evils of our time. The difficult thing now is to find someone who does not suffer from a certain level of sustained anguish or anxiety. The matter is serious since this problem can lead to serious individual and collective consequences.

We live in a world of stressed people, especially in big cities. And stress is contagious. So it’s not just individual concerns that count, but also the discomfort of those around us. It’s not easy to manage these situations. But to do so, the first thing is to know how to identify the phases of stress and determine if we are in any of them.

Alarm, the first phase of stress

Generally speaking, stress occurs when we encounter a situation that involves some threat or risk. When faced with this, the normal reaction of a human being is to prepare for attack or flight.

This is accompanied by a series of physiological manifestations, among which the sudden release of adrenaline and cortisol stands out. The latter is the stress hormone. In the long term, the frequent production of these hormones leads to serious problems.

The resistance

The second phase of stress is resistance. Once a stressful stimulus has been received, a biological mechanism called “ homeostasis ” is activated. This is a self-protection and self-preservation mechanism, by which the organism seeks to regain balance.

However, sometimes the stressful stimulus remains, whether real or imagined. Therefore, the body cannot return to its state of equilibrium, and the first symptoms of stress begin to appear. These include fatigue, difficulty sleeping, irritability, and general malaise.

Exhaustion phase

If the problem continues for a long time, the third phase of stress is entered. At this stage, we are already talking about a more serious problem. All the previous symptoms remain, but they are more permanent and intense . It is most common for physical illnesses to appear during this phase. The immune system is usually noticeably weakened, leading to a viral or bacterial infection. Migraines, muscle pain in different parts of the body, and a very strong emotional stagnation are also common.

Fighting stress at each stage

Each phase of stress requires different management. In the first stage, the important thing is to delimit and control the effect of the stimulus perceived as threatening. Once the person experiences this sudden and intense fear, he or she must pause to become aware of the situation. It is important to note that there are real dangers and also imaginary dangers. The latter is the most difficult to deal with. They are also the ones that last the longest and cause the most harmful effects. That is why it is important to stop and define the limits of that risk or danger. Establish how and to what extent it can affect us. Also, breathe, drink a glass of water, and wait a moment for the body to stabilize.

In the second phase of stress, the risk has already been established as a more or less fixed stimulus. Once again, the important thing is to become aware of it. If it is not possible to determine exactly what one is afraid of, it does not matter. The stress itself may be blocking this capacity for self-evaluation. The important thing is to take measures. The most essential ones are exercise and dedicating more time to rest. Both factors will help to overcome the problem .

If someone is in the last stages of stress, the issue becomes more complex. In such cases, the most advisable thing is to seek psychotherapy. It will likely be impossible to clarify the mind and emotions on one’s own. Help is needed. We should not wait too long to seek psychological support, as stress can have consequences that are as important as they are negative.