To some people, stress can be a painful experience which would rather be avoided, as it can appear to cloud judgment, turn the strong into weak and leave a person suffering for hours, days or even weeks, with a sickly, tense feeling, sometimes leading to irritability, poor sleeping and confusion.

However it is viewed, a stress reaction can be a beneficial reaction if it is handled and viewed in the correct way. What we will class as stress at the moment (or the release of ‘adrenalin’) has the ability to help us become stronger, faster and more agile in the event of danger, thereby offering us an option of having a powerful source of energy, should we require it.

Adrenalin is a chemical in the human body which is released when the person senses that there is a possible physical threat to themselves or the people around them. Adrenalin has an ability to speed up the processes of the body (liken that to a turbo boost in a car).

The reactions could be any of the following:

A pounding heart, breathlessness, shaking limbs and muscles, a dry mouth, a weak bladder, cold sweating, disorientation, light headedness, feeling cold and clammy, distorted vision or a slurred or stuttered speech.

Under a stress reaction, it is possible for the person to view it as being a symptom of weakness. However, it is the body becoming stronger and being able to deal with a dangerous situation more effectively. For example, the blood will pump faster to reach the muscles at a faster rate, the muscles will shake as the nervous system is speeding up ready to move faster, and the sickly feeling may be to expel food so the muscles can use the energy that would otherwise be used to digest the food.

When the body releases adrenalin, it has only one purpose and that is to do its job. The adrenalin will ask no questions, it just does its job and as previously discussed its job is to speed up the body and mind in order to help the person to become stronger. This can help the person either overpower the danger (fight) or to run away from the danger (flight). This is more commonly known as the ‘fight or flight’ syndrome.

Adrenalin when released into the bloodstream will carry on increasing the heartbeat and make the muscles work faster until it has been used up. If the person does not use the adrenalin by taking some kind of physical activity, it can stay in the bloodstream until the body can get rid of it. This however, can take longer than exercise.

If the adrenalin is left in the body, it will keep the body working at a faster rate even when the danger or threat has passed. This can lead to sleepless nights, irritability, lack of concentration and a loss of appetite.

Physical exercise is a great way to help reduce the stress levels within the body. Anybody who is considering taking up physical activity should initially consult their doctor to ensure that they are safe to exercise. A very important point to make to anyone who is considering taking up exercise is not to do too much too soon; this could have the reverse effect and leave the body exhausted. A good starting point is walking round the block or riding a bike.