The 4 emotional consequences of stress

These are the ways in which having stress problems influences our emotions.

When we talk about stress, we may be tempted to focus only on its symptoms at the physiological level: increased muscle tension, secretion of sweat, increased Heart rate, etc. However, we cannot forget that another of the most important facets of stress has to do with our emotions and feelings, what goes through our heads.

And in the same way that when we are stressed it has an impact on all kinds of organs spread throughout our body, our brain also gives rise to a certain way of thinking and feeling when stress hormones are released in large quantities... And if we also suffer an excess of stress, this impact on the psychological is even more accentuated.

In this article we will see precisely what are these emotional consequences of stress problems, something basic to better understand this phenomenon and know how to mitigate it.This is basic to know better this phenomenon and to know how to mitigate it.

What is stress?

Stress is a psychological and physiological state that prepares us to react quickly to the first signs that something is wrong or that, if we do not hurry, we will lose important opportunities. It arises from a mechanism that has been carved out over millions of years of evolution, which is why a large number of animals (both vertebrates and invertebrates) experience stress: such is the usefulness of this resource in ensuring the survival of many kinds of life forms.

However, and even assuming that the possibility of entering into a state of stress is usually useful, it is true that sometimes it becomes a problem that generates unjustified discomfort; this happens when we "learn" to feel stress in situations that do not deserve it. We "learn" to feel stress in situations that do not deserve it, exaggerating the possibility that we will go through a stressful experience.This happens when we "learn" to feel stress in situations that do not deserve it, exaggerating the possibilities of something bad happening to us.

Moreover, the problems linked to excessive stress are not only related to the subjective discomfort that it makes us feel: if we feel very stressed when it is not our turn, the way in which we try to relieve that feeling can lead us to develop other psychological problems derived from it. For example: the habit of arguing with others, blaming them for what is happening to us, taking drugs to "distract us", binge eating without being really hungry, etc.

These behavioral dynamics can become so internalized in us that sometimes we are not even aware of them, we do them in "automatic mode" and without questioning them or identifying them as harmful.We do them in "automatic mode" and without questioning them or identifying them as harmful.

The 4 main emotional consequences of stress

Stress can take shape emotionally in different ways, and this depends a lot on the characteristics of each individual as well as on his or her environment and life context. However, some of the most frequent are these that we will see here.

1. Increased irritability

A person suffering from excessive stress will be less able to adopt an attitude of cordiality and kindness towards others when unexpected requests, misunderstandings, and in general, social situations capable of generating frustration arise.

There is a tendency to become irritableThe discomfort produced by stress itself must be added to the discomfort produced by this kind of "bumps" to which you have to adapt as you go along.

2. Tendency to feed catastrophic thoughts.

Because stress predisposes us to prepare for situations that can harm us, it is easy for overly stressed people to enter into a pessimistic mindset and begin to turn over thoughts that anticipate catastrophes. In this way, they interpret almost any event, however ambiguous it may be, they interpret almost any fact, however ambiguous it may be, as a warning that something bad will happen..

3. Discomfort due to lack of control over what one feels

Another of the emotional consequences of excessive stress has to do with the way in which the person relates to his or her emotional side. In such situations the desire arises to control as much as possible, including what is going on in one's mind, and the failure to do so generates discomfort and worry.The fact of not achieving it generates discomfort and worry: the person feels overwhelmed by his emotions.

• Article related: "Emotional management: 10 keys to dominate your emotions".

4. Desire to perform check-up actions over and over again

As the person with excess of stress is pushed to try to control what happens to him but at the same time adopts a pessimistic mentality, it is easy for him to feel bad if he does not check over and over again certain elements that, in case of failure, would get him into trouble..

Some examples: counting several times the pages of the report you are writing, checking several times that the door of your house is locked, looking at yourself in the mirror several times in a row before going out in the street, etc.

Do you want to learn how to manage stress?

Although stress can arise in many day-to-day experiences and situations, human beings are endowed with the ability to cope with stress, human beings are endowed with the necessary abilities to learn how to manage it.. It is true that we will never be able to perfectly control our emotions, but there are ways to modulate them and minimize the chances of getting into trouble.

That's why at Gurumind we have developed both stress management courses and a useful smartphone app full of meditation content, Mindfulness, breathing exercises, and more. These resources can help you establish a healthier and more functional relationship with the way you experience your emotions, and better adapt to the challenges of everyday life.