Unfortunately, stress is a fact of life these days. We all experience minor stress daily. You might get stuck in traffic on the way to work. You may feel overwhelmed by your to-do list. Perhaps you’re dealing with a conflict within your family.
Stress can come from many sources, and these days, many of us are dealing with chronic, long-term stress. Chronic stress can harm your health—but why is that?
Stress is not just a mental health issue. It’s also a physical health issue. Some of the physical reactions that occur in your body when you’re stressed could save your life in the short term, but with so many of us feeling stressed chronically, these reactions can be quite detrimental.
Here’s what happens in the body when you’re feeling stressed out.
Fight-or-Flight Mode
What happens to your body when you are exposed to a perceived threat? Even if you are not actually in physical danger, your body will respond as if you are.
Your central nervous system will prompt a fight-or-flight response. This response begins with your hypothalamus causing your adrenal glands to release the stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline.
Your heart rate will also increase, and your heart will pump blood to your essential organs in case of a potential emergency.
Rapid Breathing
When you’re stressed, you may notice that your breathing naturally becomes rapid. Your breathing might also feel shallow, and you may eventually pause to realize that you haven’t taken a deep breath in a while. This pattern can cause a lightheaded feeling.
Your blood vessels will send more oxygen to your muscles so that you’ll have more energy if you need to take action to defend yourself. While this is useful in real emergencies, low-level chronic stress can raise your blood pressure and increase your risk of strokes and heart attacks.
Glucose for Energy
If your body believes that you need to defend yourself from a physical attack, you’re going to have to get the fuel from somewhere. When you feel stressed out, your liver begins producing extra glucose to give you a boost of energy.
In the short-term, this is necessary. But in the long run, this can do severe damage, as chronic stress can be a risk factor for weight gain. It can also raise your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Muscle Tension
Ever notice that when you feel stressed out, you’re more likely to have a headache? The reason is that your muscles tense up when you feel stressed.
Why? It helps protect your muscles from injury. Remember, your body is gearing up as though you’re about to be in some physical conflict.
This tension can also lead to pain in your shoulders, neck, and back. Some people find themselves dealing with full-body aches when they experience long-term stress.
Upset Stomach
Everything going on in your body when you face a stressful situation can upset your digestive system. From the rush of hormones to your shallow breathing to the excess glucose in your system, it’s no wonder that for many people, stress goes hand in hand with stomachaches.
When you feel stressed out for an extended period, you’re also more likely to experience heartburn or acid reflux. Your risk of ulcers also increases because of the excess glucose and acid lining your stomach.
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Are you feeling the effects of chronic stress? Or, do you wonder how you can finally learn to manage your stress and take back control of your life?
If so, therapy might be the next step in your healing journey. Contact us today to set up your first session.