Effects of Stress On The Body
The effects of stress on the body have both long and short term implications. It is vitally important to reduce or eliminate stress in order to enjoy a long and healthy life. While it is impossible to remove all stress factors from our lives, there are steps to be taken that can lessen the effects of stress on the body.
Positive stress, or eustress, is good in small amounts. It keeps us alert and “on task” and may cause us to become more effective in our jobs and daily tasks.
Short Term Stress
When we’re under acute or short term stress our minds assess the level of danger or threat and our body’s natural “fight or flight” instinct engages. Our body compensates for the impending danger or demand by triggering certain physical responses to adapt to the stressful situation. Short term stress episodes may vary in length from a few minutes to a few weeks—and our body’s physical response to the stress lasts just as long.
It’s estimated that approximately 43% of adults experience health problems from stress. And approximately 75%-90% of visits to the doctor are due to illnesses brought on by stress and anxiety.
During a “stress episode” our adrenaline kicks in and triggers the release of over 17 different hormones including adrenalin and cortisol. These “stress” hormones cause our bodies to react in several ways including:
• Heart rate and pulse is quickened
• Blood supply to major muscles is shunted
• Digestion is slowed
• Blood vessels contract
• Blood pressure rises
The above physiological reactions, in turn, may result in the following symptoms of stress:
• Headaches (migraines)
• Back and neck aches
• Sweaty palms
• Chest pains
• Tight muscles
• Rapid breathing
• Cold or hot flashes
Long Term or Chronic Stress
Long-term or chronic stress will eventually cause serious health problems. Chronic stress keeps the body on high alert continuously and negatively impacts almost every system in your body. Hormones released during stressful times stimulate the adrenal gland to release cortisol continuously which may interfere with sleep patterns and weaken our immune system over time. A weakened immune system leaves our bodies alarmingly vulnerable to many illnesses and diseases. Long term stress can also literally short circuit our brains and make us susceptible to depression and anxiety.
Long term effects of stress on the body may include the following:
• Autoimmune diseases
• Heart disease
• Cancer
• Insomnia
• Digestive problems
• Depression
• Obesity
• Chronic pain
There is no doubt that short term and long term stress levels affect our health. The only question is when these negative effects of stress on the body will manifest.
The good news? You can take positive steps to eliminate your stress.
It may require making some tough decisions and a commitment to put “you” back on “the list” again.
Positive change usually begins with baby steps. Do yourself a favor and make a list right now of a few baby steps you can take to reduce stress in your life. You can do it—one step at a time!
Recommendation:
- Lithium Orotate is an all natural supplement (unlike prescription synthetic lithium prescribed by doctors) that has proven very effective for taking the edge off of chronic stress and anxiety. I have personally used it for the past couple of years and find it very helpful in lifting the stress and lightening my mood. It does not cause any drowsiness or foggy thinking at all–in fact it seems to sharpen my mind and give clarity of thought. Highly recommended!
- Conquering Stress is an incredibly helpful guide to managing stress, anxiety and depression naturally without making major “life changes” or taking prescription antidepressants. It’s very well thought out and has helped a lot of people gain control of chronic stress in their lives.Take the time to educate yourself and make a serious plan to take control of your mental, emotional and physical health by kicking stress, anxiety and depression out of your life quickly and permanently! Click Here!
Warning: If you are currently on prescription anti-depressants, you must work with your doctor to safely discontinue use, if desired. Do not abruptly discontinue use of such medications as this could cause severe withdrawal effects.
