Stress & our Health Part 3

Stress Series Part 3: What are the Effects of Stress on our Health?

So we know what stress is & the different types (mental, chemical etc). Planning a wedding, having road rage, or eating inflammatory foods are all different types of stress, but they all affect the body the same way. Most people only correlate the physical symptoms that happen when being stressed.

While they can manifest as tension or pain, the effects of stress most often show up in other ways.

Acute Effects: 
Muscle ache, low energy, fatigue
Joint pain/aches
Headaches
Poor posture (shoulders elevated/rounded forward)
Shallow breathing
Increased Heart rate & blood pressure
Lack of concentration, brain fog
Restlessness: “wired but tired”

More chronic, long term & dangerous effects:
Insomnia & sleeping problems
Mood swings & disorders: irritability, Panic attacks, anxiety, depression, bipolar episodes
Increased emotional sensitivity
Decrease or Increase in blood pressure
Sensory Overload: unable to cope with noises, lights, social situations etc.
Lack of motivation or “Zest for Life”
Depressed immune system; Frequent sickness or inability to recover from illness
Always sore, tired, never recovered from exercise
High Cravings for Sugar & salt
Food Sensitivities
Inability to lose weight
Weight loss
Weight gain, especially around midsection
Digestive issues: nausea, IBS, constipation, diarrhea, reflux etc.
Decreased libido & sex hormones
Irregular or missing cycles
Increased gut permeability (leaky gut)
Thyroid and/or adrenaline dysfunction

As you can see, Stress affects the entire body. I have unfortunately experienced almost every symptom listed above in the last few years. However, I have learned what stresses me the most (lack of consistent schedule, waking up before 6am, trying to do too much, poor food, lack of sleep) and how stress manifests for me (poor digestion, low energy, anxiety).

What is stressful to me will be different for you. Furthermore, how your body’s stress response will be unique as well! Learning about your own stress triggers is crucial to avoid chronic stress and the negative consequences associated.