What is Chronic Stress by Definition?

December 12, 2023

Chronic stress symptoms affect millions of people worldwide. Unlike acute stress, chronic stress disorder has a persistent nature for extended periods. Left unchecked, it can become a significant detriment to your quality of life.

What is chronic stress, exactly?

Today, we’re answering this question by giving you a chronic stress definition aimed at helping you manage your condition as effectively as possible. Continue reading to learn about chronic stress symptoms, common causes, risks associated with chronic stress disorder, and examples for a clearer understanding.

What Is Chronic Stress?

Let’s start with the most important question: what is chronic stress? The chronic stress definition is characterized by a prolonged state of heightened psychological and physiological tension within your body. It occurs when the body experiences stressors with so much frequency or intensity that your autonomic nervous system isn’t able to activate a relaxation response regularly or adequately for relief.

Unlike acute stress, which is the body's immediate response to a perceived threat, chronic stress persists over an extended period, negatively impacting your daily life. This sustained activation of the stress response system via elevated cortisol levels is bad for mental and physical health.

Bonus Info: Learn more about the differences between acute vs chronic stress after this article.

Chronic Stress Symptoms

Chronic stress symptoms can manifest in a variety of physical, mental, and behavioral ways that continue over an extended period. While acute stress comes on quickly and often with a more easily-identifiable catalyst, chronic stress symptoms may start to blend into our daily lives too much and affect us in ways we don’t recognize right away.

Physical Chronic Stress Symptoms

Chances are the most obvious chronic stress symptoms are physical ones. These may manifest in ways such as:

Fatigue: Chronic stress can lead to persistent feelings of exhaustion, even after adequate rest.
Headaches and muscle tension: Tension headaches or migraines, as well as muscle stiffness, are common physical chronic stress symptoms.
Worsening of existing conditions or pain: Chronic stress has been linked to the worsening of pre-existing health conditions, such as autoimmune disorders or chronic pain conditions.
Sleep Disturbances: Common sleep disorders like insomnia or disrupted sleep patterns often accompany chronic stress, further exacerbating feelings of fatigue.

Mental Chronic Stress Symptoms

Symptoms of chronic stress may also appear in the form of mental, or emotional, conditions. Some common mental chronic stress disorder symptoms include:

Anxiety and worry: Chronic stress is often accompanied by a heightened sense of anxiety or a persistent worry about the future.
Irritability: You may find yourself more easily agitated or irritable in daily interactions.
Depression: Chronic elevated stress levels can contribute to developing feelings of depression if left unchecked. If these feelings persist, consult a mental health professional right away for help.
Difficulty concentrating or remembering details: Chronic stress can impair cognitive function, making it challenging to concentrate on tasks or make decisions. Forgetfulness and difficulties with memory recall can also be experienced.

Behavioral Chronic Stress Symptoms

Beyond physical and mental health, a chronic stress disorder may also impact your behavior. It could lead to changes such as:

Changes in eating habits: Chronic stress may leave you yearning for comfort foods or poor dietary choices, leading to weight changes. Others may experience a loss of appetite.
Social withdrawal: Chronic stress may also cause you to withdraw from social activities and relationships.

Identifying chronic stress symptoms and characterizations is essential for early intervention and effective management of chronic stress. Consult a medical professional for an accurate diagnosis and guidance.

What is Chronic Stress Caused By?

What is chronic stress caused by? It’s often sparked by prolonged exposure to demanding situations, creating a persistent strain on your ability to cope. These triggers can stem from various aspects of life, gradually accumulating and evolving into chronic stressors over time.

Common chronic stress triggers include:

Work environment
Financial strain
Relationship issues
Life changes like divorce or losing a loved one
Health conditions
Unresolved acute stress
Environmental factors

Understanding these triggers is crucial for developing effective strategies for managing stress. Individuals can take proactive steps to address these sources of stress, fostering resilience and minimizing the risk of chronic stress-related health issues.

Additional Info: Check out our guide to stress related health problems you can fix to learn more after this.

Risks of Chronic Stress Disorder

Now that we’ve explored what this disorder is, its symptoms, and its common causes, what is chronic stress putting you at risk of if left untreated? The risks associated with a chronic stress disorder impact your mental and physical well-being.

Prolonged exposure to elevated stress levels has been linked to cardiovascular problems, including increased blood pressure, a significant risk factor for heart disease and stroke. The constant release of stress hormones like cortisol can also compromise the immune system, increasing your vulnerability to infections and illnesses.

Digestive disorders, notably the worsening of conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), are also associated with chronic stress. Additionally, the pressure it puts on your mental health could lead to severe or worsening feelings of depression or anxiety.

To lower your risk of these serious conditions due to chronic stress, it’s vital to find effective methods for treating your condition and managing its symptoms.

Chronic Stress Examples

Answering the question, “What is chronic stress?” is made easier with specific chronic stress examples. We’ve put together a list of chronic stress examples to show what could trigger this response in you in various ways ranging from physical stress to mental anguish.

Some chronic stress examples are:

Work-related stress
Financial stress
Relationship stress
Health-related stress
Life change stress

1. Work-Related Stress

Chronic stress symptoms can manifest as a result of work-related stress. Long hours, tight deadlines, and a demanding workload can create persistent pressure, leading to physical and mental exhaustion. A lack of job satisfaction or a feeling of being undervalued also contributes to chronic stress, impacting your overall well-being and job performance.

2. Chronic Financial Stress

Financial instability and economic concerns are common chronic stress examples. The ongoing worry about meeting financial obligations, making ends meet, or planning for the future creates sustained pressure. Handling debt, job insecurity, or an unpredictable income may put you in a cycle of chronic financial stress.

3. Relationship Stress

Another common chronic stress example comes from your relationships. Ongoing conflicts within your family, unstable personal relationships, or even the strain of caregiving responsibilities can cause emotional tension that lasts. The persistent nature of these issues can make it challenging for you to find relief from the stressors and manifest via various physical and mental chronic stress symptoms.

4. Health-Related Chronic Stress

Managing chronic illnesses, either personally or as a caregiver, is a source of chronic stress with both physical and mental implications, as well. The daily challenges of coping with health issues, medical appointments, and treatment programs are difficult. These health concerns can also add to the stress of the unknown such as uncertainty about health outcomes.

5. Life Change Stress

Major life changes, such as divorce, relocation, or the loss of a loved one, can trigger chronic stress. These significant changes often come with a range of challenges. Adapting to new circumstances and navigating the uncertainties associated with these life changes can create a persistent strain on your well-being.

Treating Chronic Stress

Coming up with chronic stress treatment options is vital to short and long-term relief. This involves identifying and managing chronic stress symptoms while implementing tips, tools, and techniques on an ongoing basis.

Treatment options like mindfulness meditation, low impact exercises, and breathing routines may help with immediate relief from chronic stress. Long-term chronic stress treatment options may include improving sleep hygiene, taking time for mental self-care, and making changes to your dietary choices.

One tool that has become popular for treating chronic stress now and in the long term is a zero gravity chair. Using a zero gravity chair for stress and anxiety relief is immensely beneficial. Reclining into the zero gravity position alleviates excess pressure from the lower back and distributes weight evenly along the body. This results in better blood circulation that may give you physical pain relief and provide deeper relaxation. Zero gravity vibration massage and heat therapy functions enhance your chronic stress relief even more while also helping your body recover from daily wear and tear.

What is chronic stress doing to your daily life? Understanding what it is, its causes, hazards, and treatment options is crucial in developing effective strategies for managing chronic stress in the long term. By addressing chronic stress head-on, you can take proactive steps toward a healthier and more balanced life. As always, consult your doctor for professional medical guidance before beginning any new health routines.