The Effects of Stress on the Body

Stress is the sneaky monster that we all experience. It comes from watching the news, rushing for a deadline, or planning a big event. Stress occurs more often than we think and, in some cases, it serves as a source of positive motivation which helps us crush time-sensitive tasks and push harder when we feel like dropping the ball. Our body is equipped to handle stress is SMALL doses, but when it becomes chronic (long-term) it can have serious effects on every system in our bodies.

1) Muscle tension is our reflex reaction to stress. Prolonged exposure to stress causes the muscles in the body to be in a constant state of guardedness. When muscles are taut and tense for long periods of time, this may trigger other reactions of the body and even promote stress-related disorder such as tension-type headache and migraine headache. Musculoskeletal pain in the low back and upper extremities has also been linked to stress, especially job stress.

2) Chronic stress can invoke strong emotions for some people which can present itself with symptoms such as shortness of breath or rapid breathing. Added stressors can exacerbate breathing problems for people with pre-existing respiratory diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

3) Constant stress experienced regularly can contribute to long-term problems for the heart and blood vessels. The ongoing increase in heart rate and the elevated levels of stress hormones and blood pressure can take a toll on the body: putting it at risk of hypertension, heart attack or stroke. Repeated acute stress and persistent chronic stress may also contribute to inflammation in the coronary arteries. It also appears that how a person responds to stress can affect cholesterol levels.

4) Stress can and may make pain, bloating, nausea and other stomach discomfort felt more easily. Vomiting may occur if the stress is too much to handle. Furthermore, stress may cause us to crave for unhealthy foods making overeating a regular incidence which will lead to obesity. Stress can affect digestion, and what nutrients the intestines absorb. Gas production related to nutrient absorption may increase.