Editorial: The interplay of stress, health, and well-being: unraveling the psychological and physiological processes

Summary & key facts

This editorial explains that the World Health Organization calls stress a top health crisis today. It says feeling anxious and dissatisfied is becoming common and that long-term stress is linked to worse physical and mental health. The editorial collects research from around the world that looks at how stress affects the body and mind, and it highlights studies about social, emotional, and thinking patterns and possible ways to prevent or reduce harm and build resilience.

Key facts:

• The World Health Organization has identified stress as one of the major health problems of the 21st century, meaning it affects many people worldwide.
• The editorial says rising anxiety and general dissatisfaction are making high stress feel like the "new normal," and this is linked to lower work productivity.
• Researchers note that stress can start with subtle effects but may, over time, be associated with serious physical conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis, and other inflammatory problems.
• This Research Topic collects studies from Europe, Asia, North America, and South America to examine how psychological (mind-level) and physiological (body-level) processes interact with stress.
• The collected work looks at social, emotional, and cognitive factors that shape wellbeing and highlights evidence-based ideas to strengthen resilience and prevent stress-related harm.

Abstract

The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified stress as one of the foremost health crises of the 21st century. This recognition underscores the widespread impact of stress on contemporary life. In our increasingly fast-paced society, elevated levels of anxiety and dissatisfaction are fueling a stress crisis. This phenomenon is becoming the “new normal,” resulting in reduced productivity and a range of health problems. Initially, these health issues may be subtle, but over time, they can escalate into serious conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, arthritis, and inflammatory disorders, all of which are intensified by persistent stress. This Research Topic represents the state-of-the-art research on the interplay between stress, health, and wellbeing across Europe, Asia, North America, and South America. It presents a comprehensive examination of the intricate relationships between stress, health, and wellbeing. By exploring the underlying psychological and physiological processes, this Research Topic aims to shed light on how these factors interact and influence each other, providing valuable insights into potential interventions and strategies for promoting optimal mental and physical wellbeing. It addresses key issues related to how stress impacts both physical and mental health, and explores effective intervention and prevention strategies. This Research Topic of studies provides a comprehensive examination of the social, emotional, and cognitive factors that influence wellbeing, highlighting innovative approaches and evidence-based practices to enhance resilience and health worldwide.

Topics

COVID-19 and Mental Health Health, psychology, and well-being Psychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction

Categories

General Health Professions Health Professions Health Sciences

Tags

Clinical psychology Linguistics Philosophy Psychological stress Psychology Psychotherapist Stress (linguistics) Well-being

Conditions & symptoms

Anxiety Burnout Chronic Pain Depression Anxiety or worry Lack of energy or motivation Poor sleep Sadness or low mood