How Does Stress Affect Us?

Fight-or-flight response: what happens in the body

When you feel threatened, your nervous system responds by releasing a flood of stress hormones, including adrenaline and cortisol, which rouse the body for emergency action. Your heart pounds faster, muscles tighten, blood pressure rises, breath quickens, and your senses become sharper. These physical changes increase your strength and stamina, speed up your reaction time, and enhance your focus—preparing you to either fight or flee from the danger at hand.

The effects of chronic stress

Your nervous system isn’t very good at distinguishing between emotional and physical threats. If you’re super stressed over an argument with a friend, a work deadline, or a mountain of bills, your body can react just as strongly as if you’re facing a true life-or-death situation. And the more your emergency stress system is activated, the easier it becomes to trigger, making it harder to shut off.

If you tend to get stressed out frequently, like many of us in today’s demanding world, your body may exist in a heightened state of stress most of the time. And that can lead to serious health problems. Chronic stress disrupts nearly every system in your body. It can suppress your immune system, upset your digestive and reproductive systems, increase the risk of heart attack and stroke, and speed up the aging process. It can even rewire the brain, leaving you more vulnerable to anxiety, depression, and other mental health problems.

1. Depression and anxiety

2. Pain of any kind

3. Sleep problems

4. Autoimmune diseases

5. Digestive problems

6. Skin conditions, such as eczema

7. Heart disease

8. Weight problems

9. Reproductive issues

10. Thinking and memory problems

Signs and symptoms of stress overload

The most dangerous thing about stress is how easily it can creep up on you. You get used to it. It starts to feel familiar, even normal. You don’t notice how much it’s affecting you, even as it takes a heavy toll. That’s why it’s important to be aware of the common warning signs and symptoms of stress overload.

Cognitive symptoms:

· Memory problems

· Inability to concentrate

· Poor judgment

· Fixation on the negative

· Anxious or racing thoughts

· Constant worrying

Emotional symptoms:

· Depression or general unhappiness

· Anxiety and agitation

· Moodiness, irritability, or anger

· Feeling overwhelmed

· Loneliness and isolation

· Other mental or emotional health problems

Physical symptoms:

· Aches and pains

· Diarrhea or constipation

· Nausea, dizziness

· Chest pain, rapid heart rate

· Loss of sex drive

· Frequent colds or flu

Behavioral symptoms:

· Eating more or less

· Sleeping too much or too little

· Withdrawing from others

· Procrastinating or neglecting responsibilities

· Using alcohol, cigarettes, or drugs to relax

· Nervous habits (e.g. nail biting, pacing)