Effects of
Stress on the Body
Everybody experience the effects of stress on the body at some level in our lives.
Stress can affect people either young or old. Stress can be caused by things going on in your environment,
things happening to your body, or even just your thoughts. In
certain cases, stress is a good thing because it changes our body
chemistry so we can better cope with danger by triggering the
appropriate mental, physical, or emotional response. However,
when stress is ongoing and we don't learn how to relieve it, serious
complications can arise.
The effects of stress on the body can cause complications on
your cardiovascular system. It can elevate your blood pressure, give
you chest pains, and even bring on a heart attack.
When you experience
stress, your body releases adrenaline and cortisol. Adrenaline causes
your heart rate to accelerate and your blood pressure to rise. Cortisol
is called the stress hormone. It increases your blood sugar so your
body has more energy for dealing with stress. It also causes your brain
to take in more glucose while it depresses the overall functioning of
your immune system and digestive system.
These
physiological
reactions are very useful in times of acute stressful situations such
as when you are in physical danger but when stress is ongoing, these
physical reactions take a toll on your body and lead to health
complications. The disruption to your normal blood sugar regulation may
reinforce the development of diabetes. Decreased immunity can make
you more susceptible to illnesses. You may experience digestive
problems, stomach pains, headaches, and backaches.
Chronic
stress also takes a toll on your mental well being. The long term
elevation of cortisol disrupts your normal body chemistry and that can
lead to anxiety disorders, depression, feeling tired all the time, insomnia, and inability to focus. Another
harmful consequence of stress is that it causes you to self medicate in
order to find relief. In addition, your relationships may start to
suffer and you could go into social withdrawal.
So
how can you
prevent these harmful effects of stress on the body? - First you should
identify the
principal sources of your stress and eliminate them if you can.
- You may
have
to end an abusive relationship or change jobs.
- Regular exercise also
helps as does eating healthy and make some improvements to live a
healthier lifestyle.
- Do everything possible to sleep around the eight
recommended hours or until you feel well rested and learn how to relax.
Replace
your toxic relationships with supportive nurturing ones. Being with
people you love and laughing often is a good antidote to stress. Sometimes
talking about your problems makes them seem less powerful and will help
alleviate your stress. While some stress is unavoidable, constant
stress can make your life miserable and reduce your longevity. Stress
reduction practices can improve the quality of your life and help you
live longer.
If
necessary, talk to your doctor or attend a support group.
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