Understanding the impact of stress on the body

There are two types of stress: Eustress and distress. Eustress has a positive impact on your body, it is normal psychological stress that energises and motivates us, meanwhile, distress harms our bodies. In this blog, stress is referred to as distress, which hurts our physical and mental health. 

Exploring the effects of stress on physical health

When we experience prolonged stress, our body starts rebelling by showing signs and symptoms. Stress is harmful to both physical and mental health. Common physical symptoms of stress include aches, insomnia, lethargy, high blood pressure, and stomach, and digestive problems. The first step is to identify that we are going through stress to work on it, most of the time stress becomes a habit and a part of our lives unknowingly. 

Long-term consequences: Understanding the chronic effects of stress on the body

Our bodies are designed to handle small stress but when stress is prolonged it causes wear and tear. The stress affects the following parts of the body:

1. Musculoskeletal system: Our muscles tense up when our body is stressed, it is a reflex reaction from our body to avoid injury and pain. Chronic stress causes the muscles in the body to be in a constant state of guardedness.
2. Respiratory system: Chronic Stress can fiddle with respiratory symptoms. Our body can experience shortness of breath and rapid breathing, which is not good for people suffering from respiratory diseases. 
3. Endocrine system: When we undergo stress our body our body enters the ‘fight’ or ‘flight’ mode. This triggers the hypothalamus to send signals to the pituitary gland. The pituitary gland releases a hormone called adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), which stimulates the adrenal glands to produce cortisol. Cortisol Increases blood sugar levels to provide readily available energy and increases heart rate and blood pressure, which causes prolonged alertness. Increased cortisol levels due to chronic stress can harm your health. 
4. Cardiovascular system: Prolonged and constant stress can contribute to long-term problems for heart and blood vessels. There is a consistent increase in heart rate. This long-term chronic stress can increase the risk of hypertension and Myocardial infarction (heart attack)
5. Gastrointestinal system: Stress can cause havoc on your gastrointestinal system, often causing a stomach ache, which means stress can significantly impact digestion and bowel regulation. 
6. Nervous system: Our nervous system, is the complex network that controls everything our thoughts, emotions, body movements, and senses, and is also highly affected by stress. When we face stress, our nervous system switches to the ‘fight’ or ‘flight’ mode. Prolonged such mode can overload our nervous system causing it to react negatively. 
7. Reproduction system: Stress can cause hormonal imbalances in both the male and female reproduction systems, which can lead to infertility, low sex drive, erectile dysfunction in males, irregular periods, and pregnancy complications in females. 

Signs of stress affecting the body: What to look out for

Our body is designed to rebel for the things that trouble it. Stress is a natural part of our lives, sometimes it is even beneficial, but prolonged chronic distress can affect our physical and mental health negatively. Here is how our body shows symptoms when it is undergoing chronic stress: 

1. Fatigue and sleep issues: Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep throughout the night, feeling of being tired even after waking up from sleeping, waking up feeling nauseous or not so refreshed.
2. Changes in appetite: This may vary from person to person, for some their appetite may be increased for some decreased. It also causes cravings for all things unhealthy.
3. Digestion problems: Chronic stress causes upset stomach, heartburn, irregular bowel movements, constipation, and indigestion.
4. Muscle tension and headache: Distress causes tightening of muscles and headaches.
5. Weak immune system: Our body becomes susceptible to catching illnesses when stressed.
6. Skin issues: One might experience acne breakouts, eczema, or psoriasis.
7. Changes in mood and behaviour: Irritability and mood swings are frequently observed.
8. Unusual weight changes: It can lead to increase/decrease in weight.
9. Sex-related problems: Stress causes decreased libido or sex drive.

Effective ways to manage and reduce stress

Some effective ways to manage stress are as follows:

1. Strive to surround yourself with a healthy social network and avoid people and situations that can cause stress.
2. Practice meditation and relaxation techniques
3. Physical exercise and morning walks
4. Maintain a work-life balance
5. Indulging in leisure activities such as hobbies 
6. Intake of a balanced diet and staying hydrated for a healthy being
7. Going in for counseling or therapy
8. Sharing and talking it out with trustable friends and family and seeking help
9. Yoga 
10. Positive affirmations and mindset
11.  Figuring out the causes of stress and eliminating stressors

Conclusion

Our mental health is equally important as physical health. Stressing out on things and not sorting them does not help. By recognizing the signs your body sends and incorporating stress-management techniques into your daily routine, take charge of your well-being. Never hesitate to ask for help or resort to therapy. It is important to remember you have control over all your situations and circumstances, and you are just one decision away from living a good stress-free life.

Frequently Asked Questions

What physical symptoms can stress cause?

Physical symptoms that stress can cause are:

1. Fatigue and sleep issues
2. Changes in appetite 
3. Digestion problems
4. Muscle tension and headache
5. Weak immune system
6. Skin issues
7. Changes in mood and behaviour
8. Unusual weight changes
9. Sex-related problems

How does stress affect our health in the long term?

Chronic stress affects our health in numerous ways in the long term. It can cause dysfunction in the musculoskeletal, endocrine, reproduction, digestive, respiratory, Cardiovascular, and Gastrointestinal systems. It is necessary to take help and cure distress before it causes any prolonged damage.

Can stress impact the body differently in the short and long term?

Yes, stress can impact the body differently in the short and long term.

For the short term, you may experience Increased heart rate and blood pressure, rapid breathing, sweating, muscle tension, and heightened alertness. In the long term, it is: High blood pressure and increased risk of heart disease, weakened immune system and increased susceptibility to illness, weight gain or loss, digestive problems, anxiety and depression, sleep problems, difficulty concentrating, and Sexual dysfunction.

What simple strategies can help manage stress in everyday life?

Simple strategies to manage stress in everyday life are: Strive to surround yourself with a healthy social network, practice meditation, and relaxation techniques, physical exercises, work-life balance, Indulgence in leisure activities such as hobbies, consuming a balanced diet, and staying hydrated,  counseling or therapy.

When should I seek professional help for managing stress?

When stress is prolonged and uncontrollable, despite practising the strategies to cope with stress it is causing harm, then it is recommended to consult a professional for help.

What are some common signs of stress affecting the body?

You may experience increased heart rate and blood pressure, rapid breathing, sweating, muscle tension, heightened alertness,  aches, insomnia, lethargy, high blood pressure, and stomach and digestive problems. these are nothing but signs of stress.