Physical Effects of StressKnowing the physical effects of stress is important for stress relief. The effects of stress can result in poorer stress health and illness. Do you find that you are often stress and frazzled at the end of the day? Does your daily commute to work make you angry and worn out? Do you find that you get headaches when stressed? If you can feel the stress in your body, then you are not alone. Knowledge of the effects of stress on your mind and body can help you to take control of stress. Physical effects of stressHave you ever felt your mouth go dry before giving a speech or felt yourself sweating before meeting an important first date. The Body’s Stress Response When the stress response is activated, stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol are released into the bloodstream to prepare for flight or fight. You may notice your heart pounding, muscle tenseness, and increased sweating as your body prepares for the emergency.
Irrespective of the cause of stress, whether it is work stress, financial stress or some other stress cause, the body activates the body’s stress response.
When the stress response, or the fight or flight is activated a number of physical effects of stress may arise. Physical Effects of Acute Stress If you have ever been stressed in a job interview or before a speech, had a car accident or endured an earthquake, then it is likely you have experience acute stress. The physical effects of acute stress can result in some of the fight or flight stress symptoms – such as increased heartbeat, dilating of pupils and overall increased muscle tension. Some of the typical short-term physical effects of stress include: Increased restlessness/butterflies in stomach. As your body releases stress hormones, which include adrenaline, your body become ready to move. Dry mouth and abdominal discomfort. Digestion shuts down to make blood available to the rest of the body. These physical effects of stress lead to digestion-related problems. Increased blood pressure and pulse rate. Your heart works overtime to get the oxygen-rich blood to the body. Breathing rate also increases to in to increase oxygen supply. Face goes pink. As more blood goes to the brain, this can cause your face and ears to change color. Your feet and hands become cold. Capillaries in the extremities constrict and blood is moved to the larger muscle groups for the fight or flight response. Increased perspiration. The body attempts to cool itself in response to the anticipated fight or flee from the cause of stress.
This stress response was important a long time ago - the caveman who narrowly escapes the jaws of a tiger thanks to the boost of stress hormones is not today's meal. But surely it is different today? We need stress about as much tiger-hunting gear, right? Wrong. While many of us don’t have to face life-threatening stressors, we do live in a world that can be every bit as threatening. The problem with today, is that whenever you may feel annoyed, pressured at work, frustrated with traffic, have lost your wallet or keys, the stress response is activated and the associated physical effects of stress ensue. This unrelenting stress can lead to wear and tear on your body, and feelings of fatigue and exhaustion. Chronic stress: Fatigue and exhaustionMany of us are aware of major life events that may cause acute stress. This is an immediate response to a situation that is usually intense. After the stressful event, the body generally calms down, returning to a state of normality. General Adaptatation Syndrome The general adaptatation syndrome describes the short and long-term effects of stress. The fight or flight response is the first stage, or the alarm phase. This is followed by an adaptation stage as you become habituated to the stressor. If this stage continues it eventually leads to the exhaustion stage, in which poorer stress health, such as fatigue and burnout ensue. But sometimes lots of things can be stressful all the time. Whether it is the frustrating daily commute, financial or relationship concerns, or unrelenting workloads, or other causes of chronic stress, it can mean that your body's defense system is turned on most of the time. Without time for rest and recuperation, the emotional and physical effects of stress will take their toll on your health, productivity and overall well being. While you may adapt to the higher stress levels, you are most likely living with an unhealthy stress level. Research shows that this chronic stress is the real danger to your health. Stress and healthSome people find that stress results in nausea, migraines or tension headaches, while others find they get a physical tightness in their chest and have difficulty breathing. These physical ups and downs that you feel may actually be due to the emotional and physical effects of stress. The headache that you always get after stress, the asthma, the eczema or skin irritations, or the bad back and hair loss that you blame on old age. Stress has also been shown to impact on digestion and can aggravate irritable bowel syndrome and is associated with high blood pressure and other hypertension symptoms. Prolonged stress has also been shown to impact on the body's immune system, becoming more susceptible to illnesses, such as the common cold. Having an understanding of what is stress, and the effects of stress, both the emotional and physical effects of stress; can help to develop a rationale for your stress management – which maximizes your chances of mastery over your stress! What can you do for quick stress reliefOur definition of stress, stress is not only a biological response but also a psycho-biological response.As such, stress management techniques generally focus on promoting relaxation exercises that counter the emotional and physical effects of stress, promoting a positive mental attitude and developing the ability to cope with stress.
 By monitoring your stress you can identify what situations cause you stress and how you react to stressful situations. Identify your main causes of stress and download a stress diary to monitor your reaction to stress
If you are feeling stressed and tense in the body, then this stress management technique can relax your muscles and counter the effects of stress. Often we spend hours hunched over phones and computer terminals, accumulating muscle tension throughout the day, and contributing to fatigue. Progressive muscle relaxation activates the relaxation response by tensing and relaxing different muscle groups.
 When stressed the body activates the stress response. However, the stress response, when activated for too long can take it’s toll your health and wellbeing. Practicing the following relaxation exercises will help you to activate the relaxation response which counters the effects of stress.
Have you ever noticed that some people get stressed and frazzled by almost anything yet others appear unfazed and in control. One way that you can increase your ability to cope with stress is to adopt and healthy way of thinking. By adopting and positive mental attitude you can build your stress coping ability. Related Articles
Stress Symptoms: Identify the Warning Signs and Symptoms of Stress Different Types of Stress: Not all Stress is Bad for Your What is Anxiety: Signs, Symptoms and Treatment Options for Anxiety Stress Health: How is Your Stress Health? Meditation Techniques: Meditation Techniques for Stress Relief
Click here to return from the physical effects of stress to what is stress Click here to return to the stress management homepage
|
