Stressors in the environment (Biological)

Stressors in the environment (Biological)

Biological Stressors

Chronic Illnesses

  • Chronic illnesses can be a substantial stressor in a person’s environment. These range from diseases like diabetes, cancer, heart disease, and arthritis.
  • Chronic Pain often accompanies these illnesses and can amplify the body’s stress response.
  • Additionally, concerns about disease progression and managing symptoms can increase the strain on a person’s mental and physical health.

Infections

  • Biological agents in the environment can also produce stress. Infectious diseases, whether bacterial, viral, or fungal, need energy and resources from our bodies that are taken away from other biological functions, such as the immune system; this creates stress.

Sleep Disruption

  • Proper sleep is crucial for our physical and psychological health. Disruption in our sleep pattern or poor-quality sleep contributes to biological stress.
  • Sleep deprivation alters our hormonal balance and impairs cognitive functions, as well as emotional regulation, leading to increased stress levels.

Nutritional Deficiency

  • A lack of adequate nutrition is a biological stressor. It deprives the body of essential nutrients leading to deficiency diseases.
  • Moreover, unhealthy eating habits such as consuming too much sugar, caffeine, or alcohol can exacerbate the body’s stress response.

Physical Trauma

  • Physical trauma, such as accidents or injuries, also act as biological stressors. These incidents challenge the body to repair physical damage while managing pain and discomfort, which leads to more stress.
  • Surgical trauma can be especially stressful due to the fear of the procedure, post-operative recovery, and potential complications.

Genetic Factors

  • Genetic factors can predispose individuals to higher stress levels. Certain gene variants have been associated with an increased susceptibility to stress.
  • Understanding these factors can help in the development of individualised stress management strategies.

Aging

  • Aging is a biological process that can act as a stressor. As we age, our physical capabilities decrease, our hormone levels change and our bodies become more susceptible to illnesses – all its own sources of stress.
  • Furthermore, the fear of ageing (Gerascophobia) can also introduce additional psychological stress.