What we think and what we feel is always a match. This is because the mind and the heart are closely correlated with each other. It is said that our way of thinking affects our feelings. So, if you are thinking of a happy moment in your life, it follows that the brain feeds that happy thought to the heart which causes us to smile and feel blissful. If the mind is preoccupied with a negative thought, the brain dictates the heart what it is thinking and then we feel according to that negative thought; we feel sad, angry, or upset.
The same explanation is true for the effect of stress on us. Depending on whether you take stress positively or the other way around, the mind will tell the heart to be in line with its thoughts. If you choose to allow yourself to be pressured from the problems arising at work, the mind will be filled with worries and apprehensions.
Of course, we cannot be smiling and laughing with that state of thinking. If we do, it is definitely just a phony. And besides, it is easy to show others that you are perfectly fine by faking it through physical gestures and facial expressions. But deep inside, the real emotions cannot be faked. This is where some people are good at: faking their feelings through physical means.
Chances are if the negative feelings are held inside, it would be damaging not just to our emotional and behavioral aspects but to the physical aspect as well. This can be one of the causes of health problems and other diseases especially with the nervous and cardiovascular systems.
There are different kinds of stress that all of us go through especially during down moments and when problems arise. Once the feeling of stress starts to build up, the different functions and aspects of our body and personality are affected. So the symptoms at the onset of stress are manifested emotionally, physically, and mentally. Let us identify and understand these kinds of stress and its effects on our lives.
Mental Stress
Mental stress is the very basic or root of all symptoms and indications of stress. Our cognitive thinking is affected by mental stress. The mind is responsible for acknowledging stress as something good or bad. Once it decides on how it will perceive stress, the rest of the bodily functions respond to it. Mental stress is a disturbance or disruption of the logical and rational way of thinking.
A person who is mentally stressed cannot think properly and is not able to gain concentration. Constant worrying is an indication, too. Say, a boss who needs to make a decision whether to retain or terminate a poorly performing employee will feel mentally pressured because of the decision-making. Mental stress can be good sometimes especially if you are pressured to do something or you have to think of a sound solution to a problem.
Emotional Stress
Emotional stress is a product of mental pressure and tension. The emotional symptoms manifest according to the mental symptoms. For example, if you worry which is a condition of the mind, it follows that you would feel anxious and uncomfortable. If you experience racing thoughts and lack of concentration, you tend to become restless and panicky.
When the mind is confused and perplexed, the person becomes irritable and short-tempered. You become in a shocked state when the mind goes blank, too. Emotional stress is also manifested through nervousness and a feeling of loneliness. Both mind and feelings are heavy to control and handle especially during moments of stress.
Physical Stress
Mental and emotional symptoms directly affect the physical aspect of the person. Physical stress pertains to the physical reaction or response of the body to the causes of stress and the other symptoms. The different body systems and functions, particularly the nervous and cardiovascular functions, are affected. Breathing difficulties happen such as shortness of breath.
The person may even experience chest pain and lower back aches. Some encounter frequent urination and nausea or dizziness. A person with poor health habits easily encounters physical stress. On the other hand, a person with a generally healthy well-being and healthy lifestyle is not vulnerable to experiencing stress.
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