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Stress, whether from daily hassles or major life events, can take a toll on both physical and mental health. Chronic stress, in particular, poses significant risks to well-being, affecting various aspects of the body and brain.

Arizona State University (ASU) Professors Leah Doane and Cheryl Conrad, alongside Erin Trujillo from ASU Counseling Services, delve into the intricate science of stress, particularly chronic stress, for April's National Stress Awareness Month.

According to the researchers, chronic stress can lead to a range of health issues, including digestive problems, headaches, high blood pressure and even heart attacks.

As per Arizona State University's website, Conrad's research covers the neural underpinnings of chronic stress, showing its potential to compromise the immune system and induce structural changes in the brain, predisposing individuals to mental health disorders.

During the stress response, the amygdala triggers the fight-or-flight mechanism, signaling the hypothalamus to release adrenaline and cortisol, swiftly increasing heart rate and blood pressure to prepare for action.

As cortisol peaks, it mobilizes energy stores to sustain the body's response. However, with chronic stress, the body struggles to revert to its baseline state, leading to structural alterations in hippocampal neurons, impeding learning, memory and emotional regulation.

Chronic stress's impact on brain regions overlaps significantly with depression, anxiety disorders and neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer's disease. Investigating stress's mechanisms on brain plasticity and resilience forms the crux of her research efforts.

The researchers emphasized the importance of developing a nuanced understanding of stress responses and identifying personalized coping mechanisms. Strategies such as exercise, socialization, and engaging in enjoyable activities can help alleviate stress-induced symptoms and promote resilience.

Additionally, seeking professional support, including therapy and counseling, can provide valuable tools for managing chronic stress and improving overall well-being.

"It is also helpful to remember that you and your colleagues, friends or partners may have been taught different things or may need different things when feeling stress," Trujillo explained.

"Some people need time alone, others need time with people; some process stress verbally, others use exercise; some want to immediately work through their stress, and others may need a few minutes, hours or days to be ready."

"There is no one single path for managing stress. The more grace we give to one another, the easier we make it for people to not get stuck in a stressful moment or to try a new stress management strategy."

By acknowledging the complexities of stress and adopting tailored approaches to coping, individuals can mitigate its negative impact and foster greater emotional and physical health.