The Science of Stress
Have you ever wondered why stress can make you feel so overwhelmed? Understanding stress is important, and much of what you know about it comes from the work of Hans Selye. Selye was a scientist who changed the way people think about stress, and his research still influences how you and your chiropractor in Cranston, RI, approach health today.
Hans Selye first began studying stress in the 1930s. He discovered that stress is not just a feeling—it is a series of changes that happen in your body when you face challenges. Selye described this process as the General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS). In simple terms, GAS explains how your body reacts to stress in three stages: alarm, resistance, and exhaustion. At first, your body’s alarm system goes off when you face a threat. Then, it tries to cope by fighting back or running away, which is known as the resistance stage. Finally, if the stress keeps going for too long, your body reaches a point of exhaustion, and you may feel very tired or even get sick.
You might not realize it, but stress affects almost every part of your body. Selye’s work showed that stress can impact your heart, muscles, and even your digestive system. When you feel stressed, your body releases chemicals like adrenaline and cortisol. These chemicals are helpful in small doses because they give you the energy to handle a challenge. However, when you face stress every day, these chemicals can harm your body instead of helping it.
As you learn more about stress, you might come across different forms of stress. Some stress, known as eustress, can actually help you stay alert and perform better. This type of stress can push you to do your best during a big test or a sports game. On the other hand, distress is the kind of stress that feels overwhelming and makes you worry. Understanding the difference between eustress and distress can help you notice when your body is coping well or when it needs a break.
Chiropractors understand that stress affects more than just your mind—it also takes a toll on your body. For example, stress can lead to muscle tension, which may cause back pain or headaches. To illustrate this, let me share a quick story from my practice in Ireland: I had a patient named John, in his late 50s, who was coming in twice a week because his adjustments weren’t holding. After we talked about the different forms of stress, he left determined to find the source. Turns out, his girlfriend was a major stressor. John broke up with her, and he later came back telling me that his adjustment held for a good month—and he was feeling much better. While nobody likes to see a relationship sour, this is an example of how emotional stress can affect the body.
Hans Selye’s research reminds you that stress is a part of life, but it does not have to control your life. By learning how your body reacts to stress, you can take steps to keep your body healthy. You can start by noticing when stress affects you and by finding simple ways to relax, such as deep breathing or a short walk.
Remember, your health is important. Understanding stress and working with your chiropractor in Cranston, RI, can help you make choices that lead to better overall well-being. Embrace the wisdom of Hans Selye by learning how stress affects you and using that knowledge to take control of your health.
References:
Tan SY, Yip A. Hans Selye (1907-1982): Founder of the stress theory. Singapore Med J. 2018 Apr;59(4):170-171. doi: 10.11622/smedj.2018043. PMID: 29748693; PMCID: PMC5915631.