Impact of Stress On Your Health

What Is Stress?

There are many ways that we cope with stress, whether it’s the stress of everyday living or the added pressures of being GLBTT*. Some of the ways that we deal with stress are healthy, and others can put us at risk. We start by exploring some of the signs of stress and anxiety, and then look at some of the outcomes of too much negative stress.

Everyone has and needs some stress in their lives, but there is a difference between positive stress and negative stress, or distress. Positive stress makes you excited, motivated, energized, focused, and is short-term. Negative stress makes you feel out of control, worried, unhappy, unproductive, and may be short-term or long-term.

Situations alone are not positive or negative. It’s the way we understand them that influences whether they will become a positive or negative stressor in our lives. For example, if you’re already feeling like there’s too much going on in your life, something that you usually find exciting and motivating could become a negative stressor.

Here is an example of some stressful situations that could be viewed as positive or negative, depending on the person or the context:

• Moving
• Starting a new job
• Beginning or ending a relationship
• Coming out
• Holidays

There’s nothing too small to cause negative stress. Something as simple as leaving the house in the morning might cause a lot of negative stress for a GLBTT* person who is regularly exposed to violence or teasing because of their gender or sexuality. Living in a heterosexist society creates added stress for GLBTT* people that other people don’t have to deal with. As a result, things that come easily or seem positive to other people may be overwhelming for us (see Oppression).

Too much negative stress can lead to other illnesses, including anxiety disorders, addictions, depression, self-harm, and suicidal thoughts. Some of these are urgent and in need of immediate professional help. Refer to the Crisis Services or Resource sections for some places and people that can help you.

Even the smallest changes in our regular health and routines are a signal that something is out of balance, and it’s a good idea to discuss these with your health care provider or someone else that can help you. Some of these signs might include headaches, muscle or jaw tension, disturbing dreams, defensive reactions to people, and changes in appetite or eating patterns.

The negative stressors in your life don’t always have to be negative and out of your control. You can learn skills and ways of managing stress that will allow you to neutralize a negative stressor or turn it into a positive stressor. Some things that might help to manage your stress levels include meditation, physical exercise, taking a bath, laughing, having sex, spending time with friends and people that make you happy, listening to music, or taking some time off.