Project Description
When we refer to stress we primarily mean psycho-social stress. However stress has various forms that together compose a sum of biological insult that becomes harmful when exceeding a level appropriate to induce successful adaptive responses. There is a lack of an objective measuring system that would accurately reflect stress levels, the extent of an imposed insult, or the impact of stress exposure on an organism. Research is urgently needed in this direction. However, we can use indirect information, through the analysis of biological and psychological, data to help us understand the level of stress exposure and the danger for forthcoming damage. Such damage includes the condition of burnout, a term often used to describe the detrimental impact of chronic disease, such as diabetes, on human psychology and performance. Recognizing the combined impact of biological and psycho-social stress on humans, we need to design appropriate strategies for descaling insults at multiple levels. As an example, lack of sleep or inappropriate sleep patterns represent a form of biological stress that has profound effects on brain function, metabolic balance and human performance. Similarly, improper nutrition and lack of exercise are independent stressors that do not allow the relief of (or even augment) psycho-social stress. Strategies to reduce psycho-social stress should take into account this dimension. Attempting psychological management of stress without correcting unsuitable and harmful habits addresses the problem only partially and will likely prove unsuccessful.
