Learning About Stress: A Lesson That Hits Home

One of the most fascinating aspects of studying psychology is how applicable it is to daily life. Stress, for example, is something we all experience—sometimes even by the hour. We are constantly managing and regulating stress, often without realizing it. This section of the blog isn’t just about understanding stress from a theoretical perspective; it’s about learning how to navigate it, control it, and how to even use it to our advantage.

That’s the beauty of psychology: it’s not just an academic discipline—it’s a tool we can use to better ourselves while also helping others.

What defines a stressor?

What establishes whether something is a stressor is subjective. It’s different for everyone. The same situation that causes intense stress for one person might be just an afterthought for another. Our individual perceptions, past experiences, and coping mechanisms shape how we respond to stressors.

When I had finished my summer 2023 semester after having taken 5 classes - all while my daughter was home for summer break – I wanted to fit in a relaxing vacation before school started again. I decided to schedule a week-long trip to Florida. However, instead of serving as a break from stress, it became another layer of it. Typical, right?

Types of Stressors in Action:

Psychology provides a framework for understanding different types of stressors, and reflecting on personal experiences can highlight how varied stress can be.

Processive stressors:

The processive stressors include cognitive processing of information – planning, problem-solving, and decision-making. Think of the last trip or vacation you planned for your family. Organizing, making reservations, coordinating people and pet care, these are cognitive stressors.

Systemic stressors:

These stressors come from changes in physical conditions. Hunger, dehydration, or being exposed to germs and becoming ill are examples. Allostatic overload is the cumulative effect of stress on the body. We probably can think of times when this happens daily. Our mood can be affected by these stressors, but they can also cause us to become ill.

Appraisal and Control of Stressors:

How we assess a stressor determines our response to it.

Cats vs. Flights: Stressing over whether our cat was okay while gone was an uncontrollable stressor – I couldn’t actively do anything about it being so far away. However, my stress over missing our flight was different. I could make sure we arrived at the airport on time. I could control the stressor.

Cognitive vs. Behavioral Control: I managed the stress of leaving my cat by reminding myself of the safety measures I had in place for her before leaving. This is cognitive, informational control. I thought about the automatic food dispensers (yes, plural) that I had tested out weeks prior to our trip. I thought of the pet sitter who would be stopping periodically to check on her. This allowed me to relax the stress I felt over the situation. On the other hand, Behavioral control allowed me to “do something about it". If I was stressed about missing our flight, I could enact behavioral controls, such as setting multiple alarms, preparing the night before, and good time management.

The Added Layer: Anxiety and Stress Regulation:

Beyond everyday stressors, many cope with anxiety disorders. This will mean that their baseline of stress may be already higher than others. Anything outside of their normal routine can trigger a corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH) response. This can lead to appetite loss and sleep disturbance. None of that is good news. If left unmanaged, this can result in turning what should be an exciting experience into a stressful ordeal.

That is why understanding stress and developing healthy coping strategies is vital for our well-being. By learning how stressors affect us individually, we can take proactive steps to mitigate their impact on our health and mental well-being. Whether through cognitive reframing, stress-reducing activities, or changing behavior, we can work towards a healthier, more balanced approach to life’s challenges.

Final Thoughts: Learning to Work WITH Stress, Not Against It.

Stress is inevitable. Period. Life doesn’t slow down, responsibilities keep piling up, and the unexpected always happens. When we begin to understand why we feel stressed and start to manage it, we can turn stress from an overwhelming burden into a tool for growth.

Psychology of stress teaches us how stress works – but more importantly, it equips us with the skills to navigate through it. Whether it’s a vacation that turns chaotic, an overwhelming workload, or the pressures of balancing lift and family, the key is not to eliminate the stress, but to use it in a way that keeps moving us forward.

How?

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How do you manage stress in your daily life? Share your experiences or tips in the comments – I’d love to hear how other navigate their own stresses. It is sure to help others in similar situations.

Resources used in this post:

Anisman, H. (2014). An introduction to Stress and Health. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications Ltd.