What is Stress?
Stress can be defined as a physical, chemical, or emotional factor that causes bodily or mental tension, and may be a factor in disease causation.
1. Types of Stress
Acute Stress is caused by minor, temporary sources of stress – such as being stuck in a traffic jam, or getting into an argument.
Acute episodic stress is when these minor moments of stress keep recurring –such as having frequent work deadlines.
Chronic stress results from persistent, long-term causes of stress that can be difficult to change – such as:
Financial instability from unemployment
Mental or physical abuse
Family conflict
Traumatic Stress is a type of chronic stress that permanently changes an individual’s beliefs and assumptions, often after a traumatic event – such as:
Life-threatening accident
Near-death experience
2. The Stress Response
All types of stress result in the same stress response: Fight or Flight
When a stressful event occurs, adrenaline levels in the blood rise. Adrenaline is a hormone that increase your heart rate. This makes us more alert and responsive during stressful times.
If the stress continues to build or does not reduce, another hormone called cortisol is released. Cortisol leads to decreased function of the digestive and reproductive system - as the body prioritises its limited resources to deal with the source of stress
3. The Problem With Chronic Stress
High levels of cortisol over a long period of time prevents the body’s essential systems from functioning properly. As a result, chronic stress can result in serious health problems – such as:
Rapid heartbeat
Anxiety
Type 2 diabetes
Difficulty sleeping
Higher blood pressure
Cardiovascular disease
Why is Stress a Serious Issue?
First came the emergence of COVID-19, then came circuit breaker, mandatory mask-wearing, extended lockdowns, and the list goes on and on. We are all aware of the physical effects of COVID-19, but what about the long-term ‘side effects'?
Long Term Effect Covid'19 Has
In 2020, COVID-19 resulted in a decline in economic activity, local spending, and domestic activity. Lockdowns keeping us at home for extended periods of time have also led to arguments between family members and roommates:
Increased in family disputes
Domestic violence case increase by 22% from the usual average of 398 cases monthly *Conversely, some families did become more bonded as a result of spending more time with one another
Post-pandemic social anxiety may emerge due to the fear of changes and new measures
Making A Difference
Helplines are not always a feasible option as victims may be afraid their abusers find out
What Can We Do?
Create a safe environment for the people around us to speak up. If you know anyone who is in an abusive relationship, here is a guide.
Long Term Effects Of Competitive Singaporean Climate
Did you know that 92% of Singaporeans in the workforce are stressed, 8% above the global average? Singapore is known to have the unhappiest workforce in the world despite having a high quality of life. Living in a fast-paced society, everyone has the pressure to succeed academically, socially, and financially:
Overworking *Create a toxic culture
Constantly Making Comparisons With Others In Our Social Circle *Although comparing may serve as a motivator to perform better, it is far from a long-term solution and can create mental health issues when taken to an extreme.
4. The 5Cs of Singapore
Cash
Car
Credit
Condominium
Club
Infamously coined as the “Five Cs of Singapore”, this “cash, car, credit card, condominium, and country club” seemingly projects an ideal image to others that is grounded in materialism.
The previously mentioned 5Cs model has now shifted and is being redefined; cash remains as the top contender, with changes to the other aspects such as attaining a good career, being cultured, holding credibility, and enjoying convenience in products and services.
Why is Reducing Stress Good For the Community?
Mastering the ability to reduce stress has been a widely debated topic in Singapore. We are all probably familiar with the mindset that stress boosts our productivity and motivation to accomplish tasks. While this may hold true at times, prolonged stress can have detrimental effects.
Individual Benefits
Better Psychological and Physical Health Such As:
Better nutrition
Higher immunity
Lowered risk of heart disease
Decreased risk of digestive issues
Lesser moodiness and irritability
Reduced risk of obesity and diabetes
Higher positivity and boost in confidence
Increased energy and consistent sleep cycles
Lowered risk of having psychological breakdowns and depression
Increased Workplace Productivity
Better nutrition
Feeling energised
Mental positivity towards one’s profession
Increased efficacy in task completion
Prevent burnout syndrome and chronic work stress
Community Benefits
Increased in Social Harmony
Transforming toxic workplaces into supportive ones
Higher Happiness Index
Since reducing stress levels has proven to be beneficial to the individual, it can also be said to be beneficial to the community as a whole. For instance, increased positivity and energy levels would result in lesser conflicts within our social interactions.
This can be applied to: Public & Private
Workplace & Friend groups
Family & Relatives
Comments