The body has a precise structure and a regular function; He knows his job and performs well in the face of many stimuli and disturbing factors. Controlling the impact of stress on the body is one of its strange and unique capabilities, although not the effect of every anxiety and pressure. There are types of stress that our bodies cannot control correctly and accurately. When you want to appear in school, university, or workplace and give a presentation in front of a crowd, you may feel stressed, and your heart rate will increase. This situation is temporary, and you can control its consequences and effects, but what if there is constant stress and pressure? This article will tell you how mental stress affects the body.
Types of stress
1. severe stress
Sometimes, reacting to a sudden danger or challenge causes us to be under immediate pressure. This reaction may be caused by a sudden emotion or fear and anxiety. This happens a lot in our daily life. Stress while driving on a challenging road or speaking in public exemplifies this stress.
2. Severe episodic stress
Sometimes we get stressed regularly or with a specific and approximate frequency. Taking care of a sick loved one or the work pressures that come our way occasionally are examples of severe episodic stress.
3. Chronic stress
We have chronic anxiety if we constantly feel pressure and anxiety for a long time. Illness and challenging experiences such as separation or financial problems can cause continuous and chronic stress.
How does stress affect the body?
A stressful experience in life can cause the stimulation and reaction of the sympathetic nervous system or activate the fight/avoidance reaction. In other words, when the brain realizes we are under pressure due to an attack or a threat, the secretion of stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol increases.
With the activation of the fight/escape response, the body system changes. This change causes increased heart rate, blood pressure, altered breathing for oxygenation, and muscle contraction. Some parts of the body also become dull and numb.
This process continues until the brain and body conclude that the situation is safe and no more dangerous and stressful factor exists. The parasympathetic nervous system, or rest/digestion, is activated, returning the body to a neutral state, calming breathing, and restoring energy sources by stabilizing the heart rate and creating a sense of security. The effect of stress on the nervous system is robust and severe.
Experts believe that the impact of stress on the body is excellent, and if this problem continues for days, weeks, months, and even years, unpleasant complications will follow:
- suffering from cardiovascular diseases;
- heart problems;
- high blood pressure;
- brain aging;
- muscle pains;
- digestive problems;
- sleep disorders ;
- Inflammatory diseases.
If we can’t break the cycle of stress and get away from mental pressure, at least at some point, our bodies will suffer severe damage. Unaware of controlling stress, we will fall prey to unpleasant diseases.
Cortisol and adrenaline hormones can hurt most parts of the body. Stimulating the body and causing inflammation are the basis of many diseases.
What parts of the body does stress affect the most?
Everyone’s body reacts differently to pressure and stress. Sometimes different parts of the digestive system are affected by stress, and sometimes, unpleasant things happen in the head and brain. Some features of the body are more sensitive, and psychological pressure annoys them more, such as:
- Heart;
- lung;
- digestive system;
- immune system ;
- Body muscles.
1. Heart
Cortisol and adrenaline increase heart rate and blood pressure. In moments of intense stress on the body, these hormones constrict blood vessels and send oxygen to the parts of the body that need it the most.
Breathing also changes to obtain more oxygen, and muscles contract so that, if necessary, we can run away from dangers faster or face them more stronger. Continuous and prolonged stress is associated with increased heart rate and blood pressure and problems such as chest pain, heart disease, risk of stroke, heart attack, or high blood pressure.
If the stresses of life constantly cause the heart rate to increase, it will be helpful to pay attention to these recommendations:
- conscious and deep breathing;
- relaxing facial muscles;
- Drink lots of water;
- Doing meditation exercises.
Broken heart syndrome
Even if we are affected by stress for a short time, we will not be safe from its adverse effects. There is a syndrome known as broken heart syndrome, which causes the left ventricle of the heart to weaken. This syndrome is caused by severe stress or mental and physical pressure.
Most of the sufferers of this condition are women. It seems that the effect of stress on women’s bodies is more significant, and its adverse impact bothers them more. Broken heart syndrome may occur after a violent fight, the death of a loved one, or other distressing triggers. Its symptoms are chest pain and symptoms similar to heart failure.
2. lung
The effect of stress on the body is profound. This unpleasant factor can also hurt the lungs. Some of the effects of stress are shortness of breath, irregular breathing, and asthma attacks. The cause of such complications is the narrowing the body’s airways, including the bronchi.
Bronchi are two large tubes responsible for distributing air to the lungs. This process goes smoothly in those who do not have lung or breathing problems. Those who have asthma or have recently been infected with covid-19 have issues in the respiratory system due to rapid breathing.
To control your breathing during times of stress, consider these measures:
- Slowly inhale and exhale.
- Relax your shoulder and neck muscles.
- Stand or sit straight and lean forward.
3. digestive system
Usually, when stress occurs, a person does not want to eat because chronic anxiety or intermittent and severe stress may also involve the digestive system. Possible side effects of focusing on the digestive system include:
- stomach ache;
- digestive problem;
- nausea ;
- diarrhea ;
- constipation ;
- flatulence;
- vomiting ;
- Abdominal pains.
If someone has irritable bowel syndrome, stress can also aggravate the symptoms of the disease. With the activation of the sympathetic nervous system, there is an increase in acid and stomach ulcers and reflux. It stimulates sympathetic nerves causing less blood flow to the stomach and its walls to contract.
To reduce problems caused by stress on the digestive system, pay attention to these recommendations:
- Exercise;
- consumption of foods full of fiber ;
- Drink lots of water.
4. Immune system
Stress has many adverse and unfavorable effects on the immune system. When under pressure, we are more exposed to various diseases; for example, we quickly catch a cold. Those suffering from autoimmune diseases and the immune system have staged a coup against their body, do not take care of it well, and experience severe unpleasant symptoms when exposed to stress.
5. Body muscles
If we are under stress for a long time and continuously, the muscles of our body may bear a lot of pressure in some areas, such as the neck, shoulders, and back. The long back muscles are shortened due to prolonged stress and become unfavorable. The result of these will be nothing but pain in the back.
This issue leads to other problems such as hernia, bulge, disc rupture, and sciatic nerve. Compression of one of the sciatic nerves causes pain and inflammation that spreads to the legs. Stress also puts pressure on the muscles of other parts, such as the jaw and chin, and causes pain in the temporomandibular joint.
In some cases, the contraction caused by the stress of the muscles affects each other and causes headaches and migraines. Insomnia, depression, lack of motivation, and anxiety are the side effects of such pressure. To deal with these problems, pay attention to the following solutions:
- neck rotation exercises;
- shoulder rotation exercises;
- use of hot water compress;
- Yoga and Pilates exercises ;
- Stay active throughout the day, especially if your job involves sitting for long periods.
The effect of stress on the general state of the body
Stress causes a person’s mood to change and his pain tolerance threshold to be lowered. Despite the focus, any pressure applied to the muscles feels more intense and uncomfortable. People who are under mental tension and anxiety feel the pain more intensely.
Someone who is stressed does not have a quality sleep. Good sleep is essential in dealing with many diseases and unpleasant situations. The body’s immune system is strengthened with sufficient and high-quality sleep. Therefore, with sound and adequate rest, we escape depression and fatigue.
How many severe and fatal problems does stress cause?
The impact of stress on the immune system and its various organs is negative. However, we cannot find a direct relationship between it and some diseases like cancer. Also, consider that many serious illnesses, such as types of cancer, can be prevented by lifestyle changes.
Being under stress causes the lifestyle of people to be distorted. For example, increasing the consumption of alcohol and smoking or not paying attention to sports. These indirect effects create a link between stress and diseases such as cancer. The relationship between stress and cancer and serious fatal diseases is indirect.
you say
We do not doubt that you have experienced much stress throughout your life. In today’s world, with all its problems, it is clear that stress impacts our lives. How did the side effects of this unpleasant feeling and the body’s reaction to the inappropriate state of mind and spirit manifest in you? Have you experienced illness or discomfort caused by stress? How do you think we can deal with stress? If you have a problem due to being exposed to anxiety and stress that is not mentioned in this article, share your experience with other readers and us.
Warning! This article is only for educational purposes; to use it, it is necessary to consult a doctor or specialist.
