What Is Stress?

By Mosh
Treat Mental Health
5 min read
Reviewed by:

Key Takeaways

Stress can impact the body and mind and there are many different strategies to cope with stress. Consulting a registered medical practitioner for managing stress and other mental health problems is very important. Mosh is an online health service and can provide customised treatment plans for those seeking assistance with mental health.

Stress is a natural human reaction that everyone experiences. The human body is designed to respond physically, emotionally, and intellectually to changes or challenges called ‘stressors’ to keep up. Stress can be a positive thing as it keeps the body alert and prepared to act quickly when the situation requires it. However, it becomes a problem if the stressors and symptoms linger too long.[1]

Chest pains, dizziness, headaches, high blood pressure, and fatigue are common physical symptoms of stress. Without the proper support, emotional and mental symptoms may develop, such as anxiety, depression, and panic attacks.[2] A doctor can assess stress levels using a questionnaire and other methods. They can also diagnose and treat symptoms that result from stress if needed.[3]

Anyone can have mental health concerns at some point in their lives. Mental health can be very personal and often difficult to discuss, but it’s not something to be ashamed of. It’s important to know that you’re not alone in your struggles and that help is available when you need it. 

Whether you’re simply curious about what is stress or are concerned that you might be displaying symptoms of depression, consulting a mental health doctor is a good first step to getting the right support you need.

Mosh offers online mental health services available to both men and women. We have a network of AHPRA-registered doctors who can recommend treatment options to suit your needs, such as prescription medication, therapy, counselling, or a personalised treatment plan. Your Mosh doctor will assess your unique situation and advise you based on what you need. 

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How does stress affect the body?

People typically ask how stress affects the body as a follow-up question to ‘what is stress?’ The musculoskeletal, respiratory, cardiovascular, endocrine, gastrointestinal, nervous, and reproductive systems in the body are all affected by stress. When the body's muscles tense up due to stress, the constant tension might cause other bodily reactions and lead to stress-related disorders.[4]

People manifest stress in different ways, but some common physical signs that can indicate that someone is experiencing stress include changes in appetite, weight, and sleeping patterns, having difficulty concentrating; feeling irritable, and experiencing headaches or other physical pain. 

If you are experiencing several of these symptoms, you could be under a lot of stress, so it’s best to consult a doctor to get the right help you need. During your online consultation, you can let your Mosh doctor know about the current physical signs of stress you’re experiencing to help them assess your situation. Also, it can help to let your doctor know if something similar has happened to you in the past. 

Mosh doctors will take the time to assess your unique situation, improving your chances of addressing your mental health concerns the right way. Depending on the type of support you need, your Mosh doctor may simply give you advice about what is stress and how you can manage its symptoms or recommend a personalised mental health treatment plan for you. You can proceed as you like. 

What are the mental effects of stress?

To fully understand what is stress, you should also know about the potential mental effects of stress. Stress impacts a wide range of brain functions, including memory, mood, and anxiety. In addition to negatively impacting the brain, it can also cause inflammation, which can affect your heart health adversely. Leaving stress unmanaged can worsen your condition or lead to other health problems.[5]

A Mosh doctor can help you manage stress in a number of ways. They can help you understand your cause of stress, recommend ways to deal with it, and prescribe medication if necessary. Your Mosh doctor will take many factors into consideration when advising you on how to improve your chances of achieving your desired mental health state. We won’t simply give you a ‘one-size-fits-all’ type of solution. 

We understand that some people feel like they can't really express themselves fully or accurately when discussing mental health in person. Mosh online consultations provide a greater sense of privacy since you can choose to share as much or as little information about your mental health concerns as you feel comfortable with. This can increase your chances of getting the right treatment you need. 

What is the proper way to manage stress?

When you already know what is stress, there’s a good chance you already know what are the symptoms of stress as well. If you think you have these symptoms, you can try to manage stress by getting plenty of sleep, eating a balanced, healthy diet, and avoiding caffeine and alcohol. It might also help to increase your physical activity, practise relaxation techniques, and spend time with your loved ones.[5]

If you're not sure whether stress is causing your symptoms or something else, consult your doctor. Mosh doctors, for example, will happily address any questions you may have besides ‘what is stress’ such as ‘what are the symptoms of anxiety’. You can trust that our doctors will provide you with science-backed information about mental health. 

Once you get a better understanding of what is stress and what is anxiety, you’ll see that some mental health conditions are more complex than others. With that, it can be helpful to have someone to talk to on a regular basis to help navigate these complexities. 

Mosh's mental health plans come with ongoing doctor consultations; our doctors can provide much-needed support and guidance during difficult times. You may reach your doctor via text, phone call, or video call to update them about your mental health situation. You’re also welcome to give them feedback regarding the treatment plan you’re on if any, so they can continue to monitor you. 

In some cases, therapy and other forms of treatment are enough to manage mental health concerns, but in other cases, medication may be necessary in order to achieve lasting results. If your condition requires it, your doctor will prescribe mental health products, but the decision of whether or not to medicate for your mental health concern is all yours; you can accept or reject their prescription as you like. 

If you decide to proceed with your Mosh doctor’s recommended mental health treatment plan, the necessary products (if any) will be delivered to your location wherever you are in Australia. You may also avail of our subscription service to have the products replenished as you need them so you can consistently stick to your plan. This can ultimately boost your chances of getting the results you want. 

As a leading online men’s health platform in Australia, Mosh can connect you with qualified doctors whom you can consult for concerns like hair loss, weight loss, and skin health. It’s easy to get started at Mosh too; just take the free online quiz, and a Mosh doctor will get in touch with you, if needed, to discuss the possible treatment options available to you. 

It’s important to us that you feel comfortable and satisfied with the Mosh doctor you’re working with. So on the rare occasion that you don’t feel your current doctor is your best match, you can request to see a different doctor, and we’ll gladly match you with another one. You’re also free to request a different treatment option from your doctor if you’re not fully comfortable with what they initially recommended. 

It’s not always easy to open up about mental health concerns, but when you feel ready to talk about yours, know that Mosh is always here to listen. Reach out to us any time you wish. 


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