Saturday, 09 December 2023
KaitaiaWhangareiDargavilleAucklandThamesTaurangaHamiltonWhakataneRotoruaTokoroaTe KuitiTaumarunuiTaupoGisborneNew PlymouthNapierHastingsDannevirkeWhanganuiPalmerston NorthLevinParaparaumuMastertonWellingtonMotuekaNelsonBlenheimWestportReeftonKaikouraGreymouthHokitikaChristchurchAshburtonTimaruWanakaOamaruQueenstownDunedinGoreInvercargill
NZ HeraldThe Northern AdvocateThe Northland AgeThe AucklanderWaikato HeraldBay Of Plenty TimesRotorua Daily PostHawke's Bay TodayWhanganui ChronicleThe Stratford PressManawatu GuardianKapiti NewsHorowhenua ChronicleTe Awamutu CourierVivaEat WellOneRoofDRIVEN Car GuideThe CountryPhoto SalesiHeart RadioRestaurant Hub
Voyager 2023 media awards
Subscribe
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Home / Lifestyle

Kyle MacDonald: The real impact of stress

Kyle MacDonald
By
Kyle MacDonald
29 Nov, 2017 11:46 PM3 mins to read
Saveshare

Share this article

facebookcopy linktwitterlinkedinredditemail
Increasingly, it looks like stress is one of the leading factors when it comes to understanding the rising rates of depression and anxiety. Photo / Getty Images

Increasingly, it looks like stress is one of the leading factors when it comes to understanding the rising rates of depression and anxiety. Photo / Getty Images

Stress. It's one of those modern buzzwords. We all know what it means, and what it feels like: the clawing in your gut, the tension headaches, the inability to sit still and relax because there is always something to be done, always a problem to be tended to.

And while we can all identify with feeling stressed at times, the kind of stress that really causes harm is when our "fight – flight" survival mechanisms fire up.

That kind of stress is much more than sweating over a deadline. It's a series of biological responses that, if experienced chronically, makes us sick, miserable, depressed, anxious and can literally kill us.

Increasingly, it's looking like one of the leading factors when it comes to understanding the rising rates of depression and anxiety we're seeing in our country, and other western nations.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

Some argue with the reasons increasingly cited as being the same reasons for our rising discontent: poverty, racism, the effects of colonization, social isolation and disconnection, domestic and sexual violence and other forms of prejudice and societal injustice.

It's still easy to find people that aren't affected by any of these factors, who suffer depression and anxiety and point at them and say "See! It must be something else!"

And you'd be right, it is something else: It's the effect of chronic stress.

We can rationally compare the stress levels of a single mother, living below the breadline and trying to feed her children, with the struggle of a parent who hates their high-paying career, has a marriage that's falling apart, and is struggling to figure out how to pay for their third child's private education.

You likely have judgements about these two situations. However, all that matters is the level of stress: our biology doesn't know the difference.

And yes, resources matter and they do increase choices. It's one of the reasons we consistently see mental health problems at a higher level in people in relative poverty.

Related articles

New Zealand

Suicidal teen in hotel after lack of beds

20 Apr 05:00 PM
Lifestyle

The rise in Kiwi baby boomer divorce rates

01 Dec 06:00 PM
Lifestyle

How to never misplace your keys again

02 Dec 02:25 AM

But it's not the poverty per se: it's the stress that deprivation causes.

It's also true that for children growing up in situations that cause stress - including parents who are stressed for all of the above reasons - sensitivity to stress is heightened.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

It effects brain development, and immune system functioning. And when these individuals grow up, their sensitivity to stress puts them at exponentially higher risk of developing a whole gamut of physical and mental health problems.

What becomes really obvious when you look at things from this perspective is not, how do we help people "make better choices" or provide better services (at the bottom of the cliff), but how do we reduce the stress people are under?

It starts with recognising we're all in this together. Because put anyone under enough pressure and we will all break, no matter who we are.

Our shared response to stress is universal. And reducing stress is about giving all people options and resources, not taking them away from some.

Saveshare

Share this article

facebookcopy linktwitterlinkedinredditemail
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

Latest from Lifestyle

Lifestyle

'Feels like home': The beauty queen who rebuilt her life after a tragedy

08 Dec 05:00 PM
Premium
Lifestyle

Whalebones, bikinis and a throne: New Zealand design history in 110 chairs

08 Dec 04:00 PM
New Zealand

Winning wildlife shots go on show at museum

08 Dec 04:00 PM
Premium
Lifestyle

A Kiwi ranger's quest for wild tigers comes to life

08 Dec 04:00 PM

If you’re doing any of these, no wonder you’re not sleeping well

sponsored
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

Latest from Lifestyle

'Feels like home': The beauty queen who rebuilt her life after a tragedy

'Feels like home': The beauty queen who rebuilt her life after a tragedy

08 Dec 05:00 PM

Kirtika Walia needed a hobby to bring back joy. Now she's representing NZ on stage.

Premium
Whalebones, bikinis and a throne: New Zealand design history in 110 chairs

Whalebones, bikinis and a throne: New Zealand design history in 110 chairs

08 Dec 04:00 PM
Winning wildlife shots go on show at museum

Winning wildlife shots go on show at museum

08 Dec 04:00 PM
Premium
A Kiwi ranger's quest for wild tigers comes to life

A Kiwi ranger's quest for wild tigers comes to life

08 Dec 04:00 PM
A different kind of board meeting
sponsored

A different kind of board meeting

About NZMEHelp & SupportContact UsSubscribe to NZ HeraldHouse Rules
Manage Your Print SubscriptionNZ Herald E-EditionAdvertise with NZMEBook Your AdPrivacy Policy
Terms of UseCompetition Terms & ConditionsSubscriptions Terms & Conditions
© Copyright 2023 NZME Publishing Limited
TOP