Information on Stress

During the assessment Heart Rate Variability (HRV) is measured, which is an accurate indicator of the balance and activity of the body’s Autonomic Nervous System (ANS). This balance shows how well the individual has been coping with mental and physical demand over approximately the last 6-8 weeks. It also shows how they are predicted to cope over the next 6-8 weeks unless there are any drastic changes to this demand.

Mental Demand

These are pressures placed on the individual in an emotional, mental or psychological sense.

Defining Stress

Moderate pressure is normal and usually good for the person. However, “stress” occurs when these pressures exceed the individual’s perceived ability to cope:

• “Stress is the psychological and physiological reaction that occurs when people perceive an imbalance between the level of demand placed upon them and their capability for meeting that demand” (Cox, 1978).
• “Stress is the reaction people have to excessive pressures or other types of demand placed on them. It arises when they worry that they can’t cope” (HSE, 1995).

Causes of Stress

It can be caused by a wide range and combination of factors that can be classified under the following headings (BUPA, 2002):

• Internal –pain, memories, ideas, thwarted ambition, poor self-image.
• External -animate objects such as spiders, mice. The world at large, politicians,transport.
• Personal –partner, extended family, financial matters.
• Occupational –boss, colleagues, commuting, excessive workloads.
• Personality -“Type A”(highly competitive nature) tend to be more predisposed to stress than “Type B” (relaxed, laid back)

Effects of Stress on Health

Stress can lead to physical, mental and behavioural changes such as anxiety, addiction, headaches,hypertension, mood swings and negativity:

• “Stress is not the same as ill health. But in some cases the effects of stress can lead to longer-term psychological problems and physical ill health” (HSE, 1995)

The Stress Response

Stress has a physiological impact on the body – the “fight or flight” response that prepares the body to be ready for action to either run away from or confront aggressors. This response causes a surge in adrenalin, which triggers an increase in heart rate and breathing, the pupils to dilate and blood to be directed towards the muscles and away from non-vital processes such as digestion.

This defence mechanism, designed to protect the individual for thousands of years, is now less relevant to today’s society where the perceived threat no longer comes from a physical aggressor but psychological issues such as those listed above. However, the physical evolution of the human body has not caught up with its new environment and continues to react the same way even though the stressors don’t really require the fight or fight response. The effect is exacerbated since today’s stressors tend to be longer-term issues.

Ill health can result if the individual proceeds through the following steps without taking preventative action such as lifestyle change or seeking professional help:

• The Stress Response -“fight or flight”
• Short term affects –extended, unnecessary use of response causes physical, mental,emotional and behavioral change
• Longer term affects –if prolonged can cause physical illness, mental illness and exhaustion

Effect of Stress on ANS balance

The body’s autonomic nervous system is a complex series of neural connections connecting all organs to the brain to control their whole internal environment. The ANS is the body’s major defence against stress and the system that demonstrates the principal symptomatic manifestation of stress in its early stages.Consequently, when the individual goes through the process described above it has an adverse affect on ANS balance.

Stresserve® is therefore a valuable service because it monitors ANS balance and can therefore be used to identify individuals most at risk and to prompt action to be taken where necessary.

Effect of Stress on Performance

Maintaining the right amount of pressure has been shown to reap rewards as illustrated by the Human Performance Curve:

Physical Demand

These are pressures put on the body by exercise or other types of physical activity, medical issues and poor lifestyle habits. They can be closely linked to mental demand especially if the individual is under stress.

Physical Exertion

Similar to mental demand a moderate amount of physical activity is usually good but can lead to exhaustion (e.g. over-training) and be detrimental to health if it reaches excessive levels.

Medical Conditions

Demand can increase in the short term due to minor illnesses such as the common cold as the body fights off infection. Longer-term medical conditions such as diabetes and cancers are a constant source of pressure on the body, which can cause ANS imbalance. Medical issues can be exacerbated or triggered by psychological stress, which in turn further “stresses” the individual.

Lifestyle Factors

Lifestyle habits such as smoking, poor nutrition, excessive alcohol/ caffeine intake also increase demand on the body. Lack of sleep weakens the body’s natural recovery mechanism for dealing with both mental & physical demand thereby exacerbating their physiological impact.

Information on Lifestyle

The physiological effect of mental and /or physical pressure on the body as indicated by the Stresserve® Index result has already been established.

Unless the individual has scored in the Red Zone a useful course of action initially is to address lifestyle issues to see if improvement can be made.

The role of the Autonomic Nervous System is to respond to pressure by coordinating internal functions and keeping the body in a healthy state of balance. Good lifestyle habits such as regular exercise have been shown to help the body deal more effectively with demand whereas poor lifestyle habits such as smoking or regular alcohol intake put additional pressure on the body and make it more susceptible to illness.

During the HSG Personal Assessment you will have answered six questions relating to lifestyle habits concerning:

1. Quality of nutrition
2. Regularity and length of sleep
3. Amount and regularity of exercise
4. Level of alcohol intake
5. Level of caffeine intake
6. Smoking

Detailed within the other sections of this lifestyle section is general information on each of these lifestyle factors and a discussion of why they are important.