Stress and Stressors
We all know stress! Life without stress is not a vibrant life. While there is a great deal of attention on reducing stress, the real need is to manage and channel it in productive ways. Stress can be either a noun or verb. As a noun, it describes something. For example, the pressure placed on our joints or muscles from physical activity is stress. Emotionally, something that bothers us causes stress, with research showing this impacts us mentally and physically in various ways. In physiologic terms, stress is defined as the damage caused by “adverse” circumstances. Of course, that is an important element of training: breaking down and then building back stronger. As a verb, stress describes an action or effect: e.g., an exercise that stresses our quads (presumably with the aim of strengthening it.) For sure, we have all experienced the feeling of being “stressed out”. Hans Selye, an endocrinologist who lived from 1907-1982, is known as the founder of stress theory, described by the General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS). Selye suggested the initial response to stress is alarm, followed by resistance, and if continued exhaustion. In running, the alarm phase alerts the body to fatigue, soreness, stiffness, and a … Continue reading