In this video I discuss what is stress, why is stress bad, and what causes stress. I also cover how stress is bad, how to deal with stress, and stress management. Transcript What is stress? Whats up dudes, and whats up ladies, Bryan here and in this video we are going to look at stress. What is it, what causes it, and what can we do about it? So, Lets roll. Stress hormones Stress is your body's way of reacting to any kind of demand or threat. When the body feels stress, your hypothalamus, a tiny region in your brain, signals your adrenal glands, located atop your kidneys, to release a surge of hormones, which include adrenaline and cortisol, into the bloodstream. As these hormones are released, the liver is triggered to produce more blood sugar, which gives you an energy kick, breathing becomes more rapid, and heart beat and blood pressure rise. If the stress is caused by physical danger, these chemicals can be beneficial, as they give you more energy and strength, and also speed up your reaction time and enhance your focus. But, if the stress is caused by something emotional, it can be harmful, because there is no outlet for this extra energy and strength. Once the source of the stress has passed, hormone levels return to normal as do heart rate and blood pressure, and other systems also return to normal. Recent stress statistics show the top 7 causes of stress in the US to be job pressure, relationships, money, health related, poor nutrition, media overload, and sleep issues. All of these are of the emotional kind, not the physical danger kind that can be beneficial. 77% of people REGULARLY experience PHYSICAL symptoms caused by stress, 54% of people say stress has caused them to fight with people close to them, and 30% of people say they are always or often under stress at work…wow! So, how does all of this stress effect our bodies? Long term activation of the stress-response system can cause major problems including… • Anxiety • Depression • Digestive problems • Headaches • Heart disease • Sleep problems • Weight gain • Memory and concentration impairment It is vital to learn how to deal with stressors in your life. Some things you can do to manage stress include… Getting regular exercise, which can act as a distraction and also causes the release of endorphins that boost your mood. Eat a healthy diet that includes fruits and vegetables which provide vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that can help maintain proper bodily functions. Make consistent time in your schedule for relaxation and fun, such as going to a yoga class, listening to music, take a walk or work in your garden. Build relationships and friendships with people who have more positive attitudes. Cut down on caffeine, sugar, energy drinks, and alcohol. The effects of these are only short term. Make sure you get enough good quality sleep. If all else fails, seek professional help. Bottom line. As you can see by the statistics, stress is a huge problem in society. A big part of being healthy is being happy. If stress is a big problem in your life, do something about it now, don’t let it erode your health. Timestamps 0:00 Intro 0:12 What is stress? 1:00 Main sources or causes of stress 1:43 How does stress affect the body? 2:03 How to deal with stress