Stress has both beneficial and harmful effects on the body. Immediate effects include the production of hormones like adrenaline and cortisol, increased heart rate, and redirection of blood flow. Chronic stress can lead to disrupted sleep, headaches, weight gain, and heart health problems. Coping strategies like smoking, overeating, or abusing substances worsen stress and health. Cognitive behavioral therapy can help people cope with stress more effectively.
The effects of stress on the body are numerous and are risk factors for a number of medical conditions. However, a small amount of stress, especially in a dangerous situation, can have some beneficial consequences. We often read of people capable of doing extraordinary things under stress, like lifting cars to free trapped children. Constant or chronic stress, on the other hand, is often associated with health risks rather than benefits.
When you experience stress, there are immediate effects on your body. The brain begins to produce higher levels of hormones such as adrenaline, cortisol and cortisone. It also shuts down the production of chemicals like dopamine and growth hormone. The latter hormones, especially dopamine, are necessary for mood balance.
Other effects of stress on the body include an increased heart rate, rapid breathing, and a redirection of blood flow to the muscles and brain. Normal digestive patterns tend to slow down because less blood flow is directed to the digestive tract. Chemicals are also released that help form platelets, and you may notice that sweat and tense muscles are caused by stress.
Stress doesn’t just happen in bad or dangerous situations, it also happens in happy or exciting situations. For example, a ride on a fast roller coaster quickly puts the body into a state of stress, even if you are enjoying the ride. The thrill ride warnings about not riding roller coasters if you have heart problems are there for good reason. It may not be a good idea to stress your heart with a suddenly elevated heart rate and increased risk of developing blood clots. This could lead to sudden fatal arrhythmias, heart attack or stroke.
There are also cumulative effects of stress on the body. The longer and more frequently you experience stress, the more likely you are to start having health problems. Some long-term effects of stress include: disrupted sleep, headaches, stomach pain, weight gain or loss, and fat accumulation around the abdomen. Some studies have focused on how the hormone cortisol tends to stimulate fat accumulation around the stomach. Even more serious are the facts that chronic stress can lead to heart health problems, high blood pressure, and an increased risk of heart attack and stroke.
The effects of stress on the body can also lead people to coping strategies that worsen their stress and health. For example, some people smoke, overeat, or abuse alcohol or drugs as a reaction to stress. These strategies may appear to temporarily relieve stress, but then contribute to overall poor health and risk factors for disease. Such coping methods can snowball stress into much higher risk factors for heart disease, high blood pressure, and stroke.
People who face a high degree of stress can also develop certain stress-based conditions. Chronic stress can lead to persistent insomnia, panic attacks and anxiety disorders. These long-term effects of stress can impair a person’s ability to function properly, work effectively, or participate fully in their life. Additionally, in an effort to combat stress, many are turning to medication.
While medications can be helpful in dealing with the effects of stress, some medications have been shown to reduce life expectancy. Medications for mood disorders such as bipolar are linked to shortened lifespans, in part due to the negative effects of stress on the body, and weight gains a lot while taking these medications. However, cognitive behavioral therapy along with medication has been shown to help people cope more effectively with stress. In fact, people experiencing chronic stress can learn strategies in therapy to de-stress and reduce its overall effects.
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