The Link Between Stress and Illness

In our fast paced society, it’s no wonder that you frequently hear someone complaining about stress or being stressed-out. With the damaging effects of stress on the body, it is essential that one becomes proactive and learns how to properly manage the stress. Ignoring the symptoms and the cause can lead to serious health issues. Just what is stress? Stress is anything that changes in your normal routine. These can be positive or negative changes. The stress you experience is a result of these changes. Whether it is something as small as a test, or a major life change such as a new baby or loss of a family member, the body responds physically to these changes. Women are more prone to stress due to hormones, although men are certainly not exempt. A woman’s hormone levels fluctuate during puberty, menstruation, pregnancy and menopause. These fluctuations can cause stress, with the body sometimes reacting by missing entire menstrual cycles or having irregular periods. For both men and women, the introduction of stress may result in an immediate onset of some symptoms. This can include indigestion/upset stomach or insomnia. While these may dissipate as stress decreases, over time they can contribute to bigger problems. With constant stress and digestive problems, the stomach lining can develop painful ulcers. Insomnia can lead to problems with the immune system and performance at work during the day. Stress can also be a cause of body aches and pains, the culprit behind headaches, as well as fatigue and depression. Some people will experience a loss of sexual desire and sexual dysfunction, while some will develop anxiety disorders. Panic attacks can lead to an increased heart rate blood pressure. Over time, the adrenal glands that regulate the body's stress response can become fatigued. High levels of stress can create extra weight in the abdominal area. This puts individuals at an increased risk for diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure. These more serious complications of stress can ultimately be a death sentence unless the underlying problems causing the stress are managed. Don’t feel hopeless against this! There are things you can do to manage your day to day stress. Being aware of your body’s response to stress is the first step to eliminate the body’s stress. Once you identify the cues (tensing jaw, tightened abdominal muscles, etc), take steps to concentrate on relaxing. Take a few minutes to practice deep breathing or meditation. Use music to help alleviate stress. Ongoing things that you can do to help relieve stress are to start a regular exercise program. Not only a stress reliever, exercise, will help by lowering blood pressure, and releasing endorphins. These are natural pain killers in the body that may help with those aches and pains. Taking care to eat right and sleep well each night will also help your body avoid giving in to stress. Taking supplements designed for Stress Treatment is also important. By managing your lifestyle, you can avoid those smaller incidences of illness, as well as preventing some of the more serious complications. The best part is you will be happier!