What makes one person more ‘laid-back’ versus the next is determined from one’s stress response. Certain people are high strung while others are calmer. Generally, most people fall between the high and lows these extremes. Genetics plays its role, as well. Both under-active and overactive stress may trigger from the variations of their genetic make-up.

Life experiences may intensify stress sensitivity. Stalwart stress reactions may be stem from early environmental factors. Adults who endured significant pressure as children are more prone to the vulnerability of stress.

To demystify what the stress response it is import to understand how it works or responds to intense situations. For example, the fight-or-flight response never powers down; as a result, the stress hormones produced by the nervous system will never stop production until the afflicted returns to a normal life. As a result, the overwhelmed will have a persistent feeling of defenselessness impending doom and anxiety.

Moreover, over-sensitivity to pressure has been associated with severe depression. In certain cases, the problem is linked to people who are more challenged by adjusting to the negative effects of cortisol.

The derivatives of cortisol perform like sedatives which contribute to the general feeling of depression. Exorbitant amounts of cortisol may trigger a loss of appetite, sleep disturbances or even an impaired sex drive.

Not to mention, the cardiovascular system is affected during events of fight or flight. In the heart, increased levels of cortisol may elevate the heart rate and hasten cholesterol and triglyceride levels (the blood pressure and blood lipid). For strokes and the heart, these are serious health factors. Additionally, cortisol levels have been shown to impact how fat is accumulated in the abdomen. Also, stress has been proven to worsen many skin conditions:

-Acne
-Eczema
-Hives
-Psoriasis