Examples of these drugs include:

As your body perceives stress, your adrenal glands make and release the hormone cortisol into your bloodstream. Often called the “stress hormone,” cortisol causes an increase in your heart rate and blood pressure. It’s your natural “flight or fight” response that has kept humans alive for thousands of years.

It triggers the fight-or-flight response, providing the body with a burst of energy so that it can respond to perceived dangers. The parasympathetic nervous system acts like a brake. It promotes the “rest and digest” response that calms the body down after the danger has passed.

• alprazolam (Xanax)
• chlordiazepoxide (Librium)
• clonazepam (Klonopin)
• diazepam (Valium)
• lorazepam (Ativan)

Stress is key for survival, but too much stress can be detrimental. Emotional stress that stays around for weeks or months can weaken the immune system and cause high blood pressure, fatigue, depression, anxiety and even heart disease. In particular, too much epinephrine can be harmful to your heart.

But when we experience too much stress for long periods of time, it can have the opposite effect, and we may begin to notice the physical effects of stress. Our bodies may shut down due to the effects of stress on the body. We may get sick, fatigued, or develop mental health issues.

04/5​Emotional stress Stress triggered due to strained relationship or due to some illness is categorised as emotional stress. This is the most difficult stress to handle and in several cases can even turn into depression or can spike your anxiety level. It is important to handle emotional stress in effective ways.

The top five most stressful life events include:

• Death of a loved one.
• Divorce.
• Moving.
• Major illness or injury.
• Job loss.

The Four Common Types of Stress

• Time stress.
• Anticipatory stress.
• Situational stress.
• Encounter stress.

So, before you coin stress as the “bad guy,” consider some of these surprising health benefits.

• It improves cognitive function.
• It helps you dodge a cold.
• It makes you a tough cookie.
• It enhances child development.

Stress can be positive or negative, depending on the situation. Positive stressors (called eustress) may include an upcoming wedding, the holidays, or pregnancy. On the other hand, negative stress (called distress) results in the full-blown stress response.

Anxiety can rob us of the ability to enjoy our lives, creating instead hopelessness and shame. We find it hard to stop obsessing long enough to enjoy a loving relationship, find humor in life, or enjoy peaceful moments. We cannot create, relax, or imagine a life without fear.

“Trouble and distress have come upon me, but your commands give me delight.” The Good News: Do not fear anxiety and stress that you encounter, for your faith in God will see you through the challenging times. “Therefore, do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself.

Try these tips:

1. Try prayer, meditation, mindfulness and relaxation techniques to help focus your thoughts and find peace of mind.
2. Keep a journal to help you express your feelings and record your progress.
3. Seek out a trusted adviser or friend who can help you discover what’s important to you in life.

“But so much choice can add a lot of stress. Prayer can help us restrict our choices in a way that will ultimately give us more happiness and fulfillment. It can actually ease a bit of the cognitive load we have to deal with on a daily basis.”

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” “When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears and delivers them out of all their troubles.” “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”