STRESS AND INSURANCE
I’d like to speak about stress today. But you can ask me a question: «How can stress be related to insurance? ». And I will answer you with words from the advertisement of world famous insurance company «Zurich»:
What if reducing stress we reduce accidents too?
So, that is why I think that the following information will be helpful for you.
First of all I should mention some types of stress, situations that cause stress and harmful effects that stress can have on the body:
Primitive stress
The symptoms of stress are probably linked to our primitive defense mechanism. In face of danger, animals (like primitive man) need to be prepared for fight or flight. Hormones are automatically released to mobilize energy for action.
Modern stress
The lifestyle of modern man presents many situations (working under pressure, driving, arguing etc.) which trigger the release of hormones. The resulting stress is usually prolonged, since there is no call for the action that would relieve it (2 for which it, now inappropriately, prepares).
High blood pressure
One effect of stress is to increase the blood supply to the muscles by increasing blood pressure, when prolonged; this overworks the heart and kidneys.
Hardening arteries
Sugars and fatty acids are released into the blood in times of stress (to increase available energy). The prolonged or repeated effect of these is to form deposits of fat on the walls of the blood vessels. This “hardening’ of the arteries increases the risk of heart troubles.
Adrenaline
The hormone adrenaline (from the adrenal gland) was first found during a 1911 experiment on a cat frightened by a dog. Its most important effect is to increase the energy available to the muscles.
Ulcers
One effect of stress is to increase the blood supply to the muscles and decrease the blood supply to the stomach. This reduces appetite gastric juices. In the recovery from stress the gastric juices flood back exposing the stomach wall (normally protected by mucus) to the gastric acids and causing stomach ulcers.
Infection
People under stress have reduced resistance to infection. One group of chemicals released into the blood under stress is the glucocorticoids, which decrease inflammation and immune responses (even cuts take longer to heal).
Pain
Under stress, the body releases natural opiates, similar to morphine. These reduce pain, allowing action immediately after an injury. Pain starts later - it is one of the body’s defenses, discouraging movement to aid healing.
<:3 )~~~~~~
Yours sincerely,
AlexSandra