Most people think of stress as emotional, but there are actually different types of stress, including: physical, emotional, traumatic and chemical.
Our bodies cannot physically discern the difference between types of stressors and therefore will react in the same way, in a primitive sense, to anything perceived as ‘impending danger’ – the ‘fight or flight’ response. Considering the number of potential stressors we face everyday, it is clear to see how easily our body’s internal balance and stability can be disrupted.
- Physical stress
- Emotional stress
- Traumatic stress
- Chemical stress
In addition to the different types of stress, there are three main categories of stress: acute, chronic and episodic acute. These reflect the difference between the little stresses that we experience on a daily basis, and the more severe stress that can build up when we are exposed to stressful situations over longer periods.