The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines stress as “a physical, chemical, or emotional factor that causes bodily or mental tension and may be a factor in disease causation.”
Some stress can be good. But high or chronic stress can drain your energy and even make you sick.
What’s Happening When You’re Stressed Out?
Stress is our ‘fight-or-flight’ system kicking in. We perceive a threat. Your body responds by pumping out the stress hormones. These stress hormones cause reactions such as an increased heart rate, faster breathing, elevated blood pressure, and more. As a result, you’re ready to handle the situation. You can react faster.
And this is good in small doses.
It can help you fly through that important work project. It can help you make a quick correction when driving to avoid an accident.
Yet, chronic or long-term stress can have various adverse effects on the body and your mood.
Chronic Stress and Your Body
Chronic stress impairs the body and its functions. It results in widespread inflammation which disrupts the proper functioning of the immune system and more.
When you’re stressed out for long durations, your body stops utilizing energy for certain systems. For example, many individuals under stress experience digestive issues. Why does this happen? The body is preoccupied with a perceived threat. It doesn’t deem digestion a priority when a threat is imminent. Instead, it’s allocating this energy toward the stress response. The immune system may also be contributing to poor digestion via dysregulation.
As a result, you may feel even more anxious and stressed out. You may feel fatigued. You might have trouble sleeping. Your mood may plummet. You lack focus and motivation. You may experience feelings of sadness, irritability, or anger.
And soon, it begins to affect every aspect of your life. Some individuals start to perform badly at work. Their social life may be impacted. And in cases of long-term stress, a person may contribute to diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes, and more.