• Source:JND
Add as a preferred

Chronic stress increases the risk of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. Mentally, stress can exacerbate anxiety, despair, and focus issues.(Image Credit:CanvaStress can have an immense impact on the body, affecting both mental and physical well-being. The body releases stress-related chemicals, such as cortisol and adrenaline. Many health issues might arise as a result of ongoing stress. Physically, it may show up as immune system weakness, headaches, tense muscles, and digestive problems.

Additionally, chronic stress raises the likelihood of developing diseases like obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. Mentally, stress can exacerbate symptoms of anxiety, despair, and trouble focusing. Stress can even change the structure and function of the brain over time. Therefore, maintaining general well-being requires stress management through exercise, healthy food, and relaxation techniques.

Chronic stress increases the risk of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. Mentally, stress can exacerbate anxiety, despair, and focus issues.(Image Credit:Canva)

In a conversation with Jagran English, Dr. CC Nair, who is in the Department of Physician-Internal Medicine at Lilavati Hospital in Mumbai, talked about how stress can impact your body.

De-stressing by doing yoga and meditation, exercising daily, eating a nutritious diet, and sleeping well can help combat stress and minimize its repercussions on health.

Also Read: 65 Trendy And Unique Muslim Baby Girl Names Starting With The Letter Q With Their Meanings In April 2024 | Complete Guide

According to Dr. CC Nair, stress is part and parcel of life. It can manifest as personal, financial, or professional problems. Stress has a deep impact on one’s body. It can lead to a plethora of health problems, such as high blood pressure, digestive issues, inflammation in the body, low sex drive, or menstruation problems. Those who are stressed will exhibit symptoms such as rapid breathing and heart rate, tension, pale skin, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, and cold hands. However, it is important to understand how stress impacts the body by decreasing his or her quality of life.

Stress-Induced Health Problems

Headaches

Do you tend to have a headache when you are stressed, anxious, or frustrated? Headaches are often related to stress and cause a dull pain, tightness, or pressure that squeezes your skull.

Weight Gain

Cortisol leads to cravings for foods loaded with fat, sugar, and salt. One who is stressed will often resort to emotional eating. So, having these comfort foods during stressful situations could become an unhealthy habit, making you pile up oodles of weight.

High Blood Pressure

If you are experiencing chronic stress, then your blood pressure will shoot up, and you will be at a greater risk of heart disease. Those who are stressed may often suffer from a heart attack.

Weak Immunity Makes One Susceptible To Allergies And Infections

Stress releases the cortisol hormone, which hampers the body’s ability to fight off infections because it decreases your body’s supply of white blood cells, and one can easily catch colds and flu.

Inflammation In The Body

A higher amount of cortisol over a long period of time can make the immune system overreact, causing inflammation. Are you aware? Long-term inflammation can cause conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, heart problems, ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and cancer.

Insomnia

Stress increases cortisol levels and causes a lack of sleep by taking a toll on one’s physical and mental well-being.

Maintaining overall well-being requires stress management through exercise, healthy food, and relaxation techniques.(Image Credit:Canva)

Sexual Health

Low sexual drive is associated with high levels of stress. So, the decrease in libido is usually temporary and should improve as you manage stress.

Menstrual Health

Changes in your menstrual cycle, such as delays, increased flow, or shortened duration, can be induced by stress.

Digestive Issues

When stressed, the body releases cortisol and other hormones that can disrupt the normal functioning of the digestive system. One can have stomach cramps, bloating, diarrhea, or constipation. Chronic stress has been linked to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and gastritis.

Thyroid Problems

Due to long-term stress, the adrenal glands release cortisol that interferes with thyroid hormones, leading to hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism, which is responsible for sluggish metabolism and low energy levels.

Also Read: 5 Reasons To Use Turmeric Face Pack For Shinny And Blemish Free Skin

In conclusion, Dr. CC Nair said that incorporating yoga, meditation, and deep breathing exercises into our daily routine can help us manage stress more effectively. Try to set boundaries between work and personal time, and prioritize self-care activities and hobbies for relaxation. Creating a schedule with time-to-time breaks, exercise, eating well, a good night’s sleep, maintaining an optimum weight, and social interactions can greatly reduce the impact of stress on the body.