Q/ List the key elements we need to look out for when considering the “BIOLOGY OF
STRESS? think of the long term effects on health. ON OWN YOUR WORDS, MAKE IT CLEAR, SIMPLE AND SHORT. YOUR ANSWER SHOULD LIKE ESSAY
Stressful events trigger the sympathetic nervous system, the part of the autonomic nervous system
that controls such things as circulation and respiration. This activates the body’s defense mechanisms in a
reaction called the “fight-or-flight” response.
Stress level
Performance level
Boredom Panic
Optimal
Performance
Stress Coping Strategies 7
The brain, through electrochemical impulses, stimulates the kidneys, which in turn release two
sets of hormones. First, there are the glucocorticoids, which break down organic material into more basic
elements and elevate sugar, fat, and cholesterol levels in the blood. Similar hormones increase stomach
acidity levels to prepare the body for rapid digestive functions and suppress the immune system to avoid
allergic reactions when the body mobilizes for the “fight-or-flight” response. The other set of hormones
involves the adrenaline-type that mobilizes the body by increasing the heart rate and constricting the
arteries. The result is an elevated blood pressure, increased oxygen consumption and a faster breathing
rate. At the same time, the individual’s thought processes shift into high gear and the body is ready for
action.
All this puts a major strain on the body and when the energy produced by the “fight-or-flight”
response has nowhere to go you get into trouble. Societal limitations, for example, can aggravate the
impact of stressors. You can’t physically fight your adversaries when they cause you stress. For instance,
you can’t beat up an unruly passenger on one of your flights, it is simply socially unacceptable. Likewise,
you can’t always flee stress. For example, you don’t just walk away when a seriously ill family member
causes you a lot of stress.
The longer our body is strained the greater the likelihood of a major failure. Sustained high levels
of blood pressure, heart rate, and cholesterol put excess pressure on the circulatory system, a lowered
immune reaction leaves the body susceptible to infection, and a mind preoccupied with extreme emotions
undermines clear thinking (Maddi & Kobasa, 1984). When this pressure on the system continues stressedout individuals may develop an ulcer, a heart attack, or a nervous breakdown. If the body’s mobilization
is prolonged enough and the intensity remains high, several breakdowns may occur, resulting in a major
systems malfunction (Selye, 1980).
For the purpose of this article two hormones deserve special attention. One is epinephrine, or
more commonly called adrenaline. Epinephrine (and the associated norepinephrine) is produced by the
adrenal medulla and plays a key role in positive arousal. This hormone is released when one faces a
challenge and is associated with feelings of alertness and concentration. Another hormone, belonging to
Stress Coping Strategies 8
the glucocorticoid family, is cortisol. Better know as hydrocortisone, this hormone is produced by the
adrenal cortex, is linked to negative arousal, and produces feelings like fear and tension. It is one of the
main hormones responsible for the suppression of the immune system and it is also known to slow
healing after and injury. Cortisol is the type of hormone that is released when one faces a threat (Loehr,
1986). One study clearly illustrates this mind/body connection. In 1996, Farrace and colleagues
hypothesized that flight instructors would experience training flights as a manageable challenge, whereas
the trainees would experience the training flights as a potential threat. After exposure to the training
flight, the trainees showed increased cortisol, growth hormone, and porlactin – a typical stress response –
whereas the experienced flight instructors showed only an increase in growth hormone, but not of
cortisol. This shows that high cortisol levels (with or without high growth hormone) constitute a negative
stress response, whereas growth hormone alone (which is know to increase healing after an injury),
without the adverse effects of cortisol, offers the potential for growth and increased health.
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