TIPH: Reflection on Stress- Urvashi Pandya

Probably the most influential lecture thus far this semester for me has been the one one stress, which was given by guest speaker Tara Misra. Defined as "the general state of the body, mind, and emotions, when an environmental stressor has triggered the stress response", the way we cope with stress has the capacity to influence our mental and physical health. When faced with any type of stress, our bodies undergo a physiological reaction (for example, dilate pupils and increased heart rate) and we go through three specific stages: alarm, resistance, and exhaustion. This topic drew me in because stress is a common phenomenon, but also one of the most poorly coped with health issues.  We all have heard of ways to cope with stress, but many times fail to implement them. It is also extremely relevant to college life, as we constantly juggle stressors such as classes, exams, jobs, extracurriculars, and our social lives. We can moderate our stress through more efficient time management and physical activity, but getting people on this track can be a challenge. Stress is a public health concern because long periods of stress can debilitate populations. A overly stressed population is one that can be mentally unstable and prone to more illnesses. 

One further question I would have on this topic: how do our genetics play a role in the way we handle and cope with stressors?