Introduction

Understanding how stress affects the body is essential for overall well-being. While many people attribute certain physical or emotional symptoms to aging or external circumstances, these issues are often signs of chronic stress. This type of stress can impact the mind and body, triggering responses beyond temporary tension and contributing to long-term health problems. By recognizing the signs and understanding the body's response to stress, individuals can take steps to manage and reduce its impact, promoting better health and balance in life.

What Does Stress Do To The Body?

When we look deeper, many people do not know what to look for as signs or symptoms of chronic stress. They might attribute a certain symptom to "getting older" when it's stress. It's how safe we feel, with our bodies and minds trying to get on the same page. That page is where we define the true impact of stress on our bodies.

How Do I Know If I'm Over Stressed?

Many people laugh when asked if they have chronic stress. "Of course I do!" they chuckle, "How could I not?"

The Mind and Emotion

We often recognize stress in our mental or emotional state:

• Anxiety
• Mental fatigue
• Poor memory
• Depression
• Insomnia
• Confusion
• Agitation/irritability
• Slowness
• Difficulty learning
• "Out of body" feeling

The Body

Physical signs that may indicate chronic stress include:

• Abdominal fat
• Muscle fatigue
• Neck and back fat
• Poor endurance
• Thin nails
• Bowel problems
• Hair loss
• Chronic colds or flu
• Muscle loss
• De-conditioning
• Asthma
• Poor sexual function
• Hypertension
• Heart issues
• Type 2 diabetes
• Abnormal lipid levels
• GI issues
• Autoimmune conditions
• Skin drooping

The body and mind both suffer from stress, which we often mistake for other problems. When researching stress, one quickly discovers that the body is often the "silent victim." Many symptoms attributed to "normal aging" are caused or accelerated by stress. The hormonal cascades discussed in previous sections can wreak havoc on all body systems.

If you believe stress could contribute to a health problem, mention it to your physician-you might be right. Stress is the root cause of many issues affecting the body, mind, and soul.

In the next sections, we will discuss how to start addressing stress-related problems.

Stress is a Physical Response to Brain Activity

When the brain perceives something as a threat, the body prepares for action: fight or flight! While we've discussed how worry affects the mind, now we'll look at how stress affects the body.

Hans Selye, the father of stress research, described the fight or flight response in his landmark 1930s work. This adaptive surge makes us stronger, faster, and sharper for a brief time when faced with stress.

In early human history, being chased by a predator triggered a cascade of cortisol. The body mobilizes glucose (sugar) from the brain, diverting energy away from functions like digestion. In this scenario, significant fat stores were burned to fuel escape. If the person survived, their body recovered; otherwise, they became prey.

Fight or Flight Response

Our brains still use the fight or flight response in modern times. However, we're racing to meet deadlines instead of running from predators or facing high-stakes job interviews. Telling ourselves to "just relax" isn't always effective.

Stress hormones initiate a physical response that influences our emotional state, triggering anxiety, panic, and worry. The Institute of HeartMath states, "While situations, encounters, or events may seem intrinsically 'stressful,' it is truly how an individual perceives and reacts to an event that determines whether or not the stress response is activated."

Stress is a feeling that comes with real physiological effects. Hormonal and nervous system changes cause the sensation of stress. While stress hormones are vital for survival, chronic, low-grade stress leads to imbalances that can manifest as symptoms or diseases.