Types of Stress

Anticipatory stress can be caused due to various factors. Those who are waiting for an important letter or interview call or even a bid on a home can work themselves into stressful situation thinking about the possible outcome.

Brief Naturalistic Stressors Brief naturalistic stressors are ones that occur naturally in your environment such as taking a test. The stress you experience usually only lasts for the time you are in the stressful situation.

Chronic stress can occur in response to everday stressors that are ignored or poorly managed, as well as to exposure to traumatic events. The consequences of chronic stress are serious, particularly as it contributes to anxiety and depression.

Acute, Chronic, and Distant Stress Acute stress is brief, temporary, and immediate, and although can vary in intensity from minor to severe, the duration of this type of stress is limited and can ordinarily be mediated by removing oneself from the situation, or changing one's behavior (Dallman & Hellhammer, 2011).

Whenever you feel encounter stress is gaining the upper hand in your life, step out for a short break. Go for a walk, do some deep breathing, watch a slide show of beautiful scenery, watch a brief fun filled video, enjoy a ‘gut wrenching’ laugh.

Acute stress, episodic acute stress and chronic stress all have their own characteristics, symptoms, duration and treatment approaches.

Stress Management Strategy #2: Alter the situation If you can’t avoid a stressful situation, try to alter it. Figure out what you can do to change things so the problem doesn’t present itself in the future.

A stressful life events list, like the Social Adjustment Rating Scale, is a helpful tool for determining your stress and anxiety level. A stressful life events list, like the Social Adjustment Rating Scale, is a helpful tool for determining your stress and anxiety level.

Stress is your body’s way of responding to any kind of demand or threat. When you sense danger—whether it’s real or imagined—the body's defenses kick into high gear in a rapid, automatic process known as the “fight-or-flight” reaction or the "stress response". The stress response is the body’s way of protecting you.