In the world today, a lot of people are stressed. Work, school, family, societal, and personal pressures can choke the life out an individual and cause them to be stressed.
The sad thing is that some people think that being stressed is having no long-lasting effects on them. That’s not true at all
Are you constantly stressed and do you wonder if it has any effects on you and what the effects are? This blog post will talk about the health effects of excessive stress to know why you must avoid being excessively stressed.
Excessive stress can have a significant impact on both physical and mental health. It can trigger the fight or flight response, negatively affecting your nervous, cardiovascular, digestive, and hormonal systems. Science Daily stated that heavy stress can shorten your life span by 2.8 years.
Here are some of the potential health effects associated with chronic or excessive stress:
10 Health Effects Of Excessive Stress
Below are the ten significant health effects of excessive stress.
1. Mental health disorders
One of the major effects of chronic stress is that it can contribute to developing or exacerbating mental health conditions such as anxiety disorders, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
These mental health conditions can be mild or severe and can birth other physical disorders that can shorten your life. For instance, American Heart Association has stated that chronic depression can lead to blood clotting that can cause a heart attack.
2. Cardiovascular problems
Another health effect of excessive stress is that it births cardiovascular problems. Excessive stress activates the “fight-or-flight” response, increasing heart rate and blood pressure.
Prolonged activation of these responses can strain the cardiovascular system, increasing the risk of hypertension, heart disease, heart attacks, and strokes.
3. Weakened immune system
Stress hormones can suppress the immune system, making individuals more susceptible to infections, slower wound healing, and increased vulnerability to autoimmune diseases.
Additionally, stress raises your cortisol levels, weakens your immune system, and elevates inflammation, making you more susceptible to infections and viruses.
4. Digestive issues
Another health effect of excessive stress is that it can birth digestive issues. Stress can disrupt the normal functioning of the digestive system, leading to symptoms such as stomachaches, bloating, diarrhea, or constipation.
It can also worsen conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and contribute to the development of ulcers.
5. Sleep disturbances
High-stress levels can interfere with sleep patterns, making falling, staying, or achieving restful sleep difficult. Chronic sleep disturbances can lead to insomnia, further contributing to mental health issues, fatigue, and decreased cognitive performance.
6. Weight fluctuations
Stress affects eating behaviors, leading to changes in appetite and food preferences. Some individuals may experience increased cravings for unhealthy, high-calorie foods, while others may have a decreased appetite. These fluctuations can contribute to weight gain or loss over time.
7. Musculoskeletal problems
Stress increases your risk of musculoskeletal problems. Stress often manifests physically in muscle tension, headaches, and migraines. This can lead to muscle pain, stiffness, and an increased risk of developing conditions such as tension headaches or temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ).
8. Hormonal imbalances
Prolonged stress can disrupt the balance of hormones in the body, including cortisol, adrenaline, and reproductive hormones. This can have various effects, such as menstrual irregularities, decreased libido, and fertility problems.
The hormonal imbalances caused by stress during pregnancy can cause several issues, such as preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, low or high birth weight, and even miscarriage in severe cases.
9. Cognitive impairments
Excessive stress can impact cognitive functions, including memory, concentration, and decision-making abilities. It may also contribute to mental fog, difficulty focusing, and decreased productivity. This is why you must manage stress even as a student, as it can affect your ability to read, process, and implement knowledge.
10. Negatively affects your emotional well-being
Another significant health effect of excessive stress is that it can negatively affect your emotional well-being. Chronic stress can negatively impact emotional well-being, leading to irritability, mood swings, feelings of overwhelm, and a reduced ability to cope with everyday challenges. It may also increase the risk of developing or worsening symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Conclusion
Remember that the specific health effects of stress can vary between individuals, and not everyone will experience all of these symptoms. However, chronic or excessive stress should be taken seriously, and it’s advisable to seek support from your physician or a mental health specialist to manage and reduce stress levels.
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Collins Nwokolo is a human physiologist, writer and health enthusiast. He loves writing helpful articles on health and fitness, which he enjoys sharing with everyone.
