Should You Stress About Stress?

Stress is a part of life, but its impact on your health may be more serious than you realize. While eliminating stress entirely isn’t realistic, learning to manage it effectively can protect your well-being — and in some cases, even save your life. It’s important to understand how stress affects your body and what you can do to manage it.

Your body can handle stress in short bursts. But chronic stress, or stress that continues over long periods, can take a toll on nearly every system in your body — mental, emotional and physical.

Heart Health

When you’re stressed, your heart rate rises and your blood vessels constrict, temporarily raising your blood pressure. If stress becomes constant, it can keep your heart rate and blood pressure elevated, significantly increasing your risk of heart attack or stroke.

Digestive System

The gut and brain are in constant communication. Stress can interfere with this connection, leading to symptoms like bloating, pain and nausea. Over time, chronic stress can contribute to gastrointestinal conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Muscles and Joints

Stress causes your muscles to tighten. When this tension becomes chronic, it can lead to pain, especially in areas like the neck, shoulders and back. Long-term muscle tension is also a common cause of migraines and tension headaches. For people with musculoskeletal disorders, stress management can help ease discomfort.

Respiratory System

Stress can cause rapid or shallow breathing. While this usually isn’t dangerous for healthy individuals, it can be problematic for people with conditions like asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In fact, stress is a known trigger for asthma attacks.

Nervous System

Stress activates your body’s “fight or flight” response, prompting your adrenal glands to release hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline. While this response helps in short-term emergencies, chronic stress keeps your body in a state of alert, which can wear it down over time.

Reproductive Health

In men, chronic stress can lower testosterone levels, reduce sex drive, and affect sperm production. For women, stress can lead to irregular or missed periods and may worsen symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). It can also impact fertility.

Healthy Ways to Manage Stress

Managing stress isn’t always easy, but small changes can have a big impact. Try these strategies:

• Get enough sleep. Aim for seven to nine hours each night.
• Connect with others. Support from friends and family can reduce stress.
• Eat a healthy diet. Fuel your body with whole foods and stay hydrated.
• Exercise regularly. Physical activity releases feel-good endorphins.
• Practice relaxation. Meditation, yoga, music and journaling all help.
• Talk to a professional. A therapist can help you identify stressors and find healthy coping strategies.

Support Is Available

If stress is interfering with your life, reach out. A Luminis Health Behavioral Health provider can help you understand the root of your stress and guide you toward relief.

Crystal Osuchukwu, LCPC, is a licensed clinical professional counselor. To make an appointment, call 301-623-4352.

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