Who isn’t under some stress these days? Picking up kids from school, coordinating after school events, work, trying to get a decent meal on the table, paying bills—so many things to juggle. Some stress is good for you as it helps with mental clarity, drive to accomplish things, and a heightened awareness of your surroundings. However, research shows that even relatively short periods of stress can compromise your immune system. Have you ever noticed that you get a cold after a stressful life event? Long-term or chronic stress is quite another thing as its effects on the human body can lead to more serious illness in the short-term and disease later on.
Stress-associated symptoms may be affecting the way you feel, and you might not realize it. You may think illness is to blame for that irritating headache, your insomnia or your decreased productivity at work. But stress might actually be the culprit.
Other common effects of stress on your body and mood include, muscle tension or pain, change in breathing pattern, fatigue, lower libido, stomach upset and other digestive issues, weight gain, anxiety, restlessness, lack of motivation or focus, feeling overwhelmed, irritability or anger, and sadness or depression. These symptoms can lead to overeating or undereating, angry outbursts, drug or alcohol abuse, tobacco use, social withdrawal, and lack of exercise.
Did you know that…
- Forty-three percent of all adults suffer adverse health effects from stress.
- Seventy-five percent to 90% of all doctor’s office visits are for stress-related ailments and complaints.
- The lifetime prevalence of an emotional disorder is more than 50%, often due to chronic, untreated stress reactions.
- Levels of “the stress hormone,” cortisol, rise during tension-filled times. Increased levels of this hormone cause an increase in appetite, drive cravings or sweet/fatty foods, and make it easier to accumulate belly fat.
Some stress is inevitable, but there are ways you can try and manage it. Maintaining a healthy diet, getting regular exercise, meditating, and having a few friends you can talk to are all important ways to relieve stress, and stay healthy.
Stress creeps on me…I know I’m stressed when I experience subtle changes in my breathing pattern. Sometimes, I feel like I need to catch my breath, but I’m not exercising at the time this happens. And on more than one occasion my physician has reminded me to practice deep breathing. I’ve learned to tune in to subtle changes with my body when it comes to stress, and change my activities or behavior accordingly. I’m in a work in progress, but aren’t we all?
