Stress is a normal part of being human. It happens when we encounter certain situations that make us feel worried or threatened. But if stress sticks around for a long time, even if we try to calm down with pills, it can start to harm our body. It might even lead to serious health problems. So, how exactly does stress impact our health? Let’s take a look.
Does stress affect the Heart?
There are two kinds of stress: positive and negative. Positive stress helps us get ready for important events like exams or competitions. Negative stress, however, doesn’t help our bodies. It makes it hard to focus and think clearly.
If negative stress sticks around for a long time, even if we take sedative pills, it can be tough to shake off. This kind of stress can harm our whole body, including our heart. It makes our heart beat fast, raises our blood pressure, and can even lead to a heart attack in extreme cases.
How does stress affect the digestive system?
Long-term stress can lead to various health issues, including problems with digestion. Even if calming pills help ease the symptoms, stress can still cause stomach ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome, and other problems. Digestive issues like diarrhea, nausea, loss of appetite, bloating, constipation, and stomach pain are common when stress sticks around for a long time. The body producing more adrenaline because of stress also harms the stomach lining.
What systems in the human body are affected by stress?
Long-term stress can harm the body in many ways. It might lead to excessive hair loss or even baldness. Stress can weaken the immune system, making it easier to get sick. It could also cause weight gain because high cortisol levels in the blood raise glucose and insulin, which affects how the body processes food. This might lead to insulin resistance and diabetes.
Some people don’t realize that stress can also cause skin problems like rashes, acne, or other lesions, especially if they’re taking calming pills. Many folks also suffer from tension headaches when they’re stressed. Besides the physical symptoms, stress can also cause mental health issues like depression or anxiety.
Kristin Walker
Yoga Instructor | Orcas Island, WA
