When you’re stressed, it can feel all-consuming. So, what happens to your body when you’re stressed?
Stress is one of those awful feelings that you probably know a little too well. Whether it’s a work deadline, a chaotic household, or relationship drama, you have felt stress’s mental and physical effects.
What is stress?
Stress is a physical or emotional response to anything that makes you frustrated, anxious, or angry. This feeling travels through your entire body and has a myriad of effects.
It’s a response to anything that is challenging or demanding of you, whether that’s positive or negative. Stress is an excellent tool for survival because it gives you the boost you need to survive and succeed, but it can quickly become unhealthy.
What happens to your body when you’re stressed?
Although stress is inherently good for survival, overusing this mechanism changes your brain and body.
The heart takes a big hit when it comes to overworking stress hormones. Along with a rise in blood pressure, higher heart rate, and clogged arteries, constant stress can increase your chance of having a heart attack or stroke.
Your brain and gut work together with your heart to keep you healthy. When overactive stress hormones are at play, the gut is heavily affected. This can result in IBS, increased stomach acid, and chronic heartburn.
Stress can transform your brain and your gut, which are your body’s primary sources of serotonin. This can negatively affect your immune system, organ function, and mental health.
Chronic stress has the potential to affect every area of your body drastically. If this is something, you struggle with, learning how to curb this stress is the best thing you can do for your health.
Here’s another article you may enjoy: Managing Your Time as a Procrastinating Perfectionist
