There are many common and obvious effects of stress on the body which generally include muscle tension, insomnia and headaches to name just a few.
However, how often do we experience physical symptoms that seem completely unrelated to stress and are, therefore, treated and managed symptomatically?
There are two main types of stress that we can experience which include short-term stress and long-term stress, each of which have different effects on the body.
Short-term stress is caused by our bodies’ natural ability to respond to dangerous or stressful situations. This type of stress can be beneficial and is designed to keep us safe from harm.
Long-term stress is caused by various factors that are mostly external and has a far more negative impact on our health and well-being.
Stress can often go undetected for long periods of time as they may manifest differently to what is considered as standard symptoms.
As a result, these manifestations are treated as conditions that are separate to stress and, often, the treatment is nothing more than superficial and symptomatic.
Although, it is important to remember that stress does not necessarily cause these conditions, but can exacerbate existing or underlying issues.
So, what are the other effects of stress on the body?
Stress causes an inflammatory response in the body, which is meant to protect us from further injury. However, when left unchecked, the inflammation can increase, causing discomfort in many areas of your body, including the skin which is your largest organ.
Therefore, if you already have a skin condition such as eczema, psoriasis or rosacea, stress can aggravate it. Flare ups of these conditions can be indicative of underlying stress, even if you aren’t consciously aware of your stress.
Stress can also lead to excessive sweating, hives and hair loss in more extreme cases.
Your immune system is your body’s way of fighting off infections caused by microorganisms like bacteria and viruses.
However, when you are consistently stressed, your immune system starts to weaken, making you more susceptible to colds and flu.
People who are under constant pressure in their jobs or personal lives may find that they are getting sick on a recurring basis.
Our digestive systems are highly sensitive to stress and often the first to be affected when we experience stress.
Think about that knot in your tummy before an important meeting, or the butterflies before your big speech. This is your body telling you that it is under stress.
Prolonged stress, however, can result in more serious or chronic digestive issues such as irritable bowel syndrome or acid reflux.
Ongoing stress can have a major impact on your mental health and this can show up in many different ways.
Some of the happiest people can show signs of depression with a reduced enthusiasm for activities they normally enjoy.
Hobbies that bring you joy take a back seat, sex drive is drastically reduced and exercise comes to a complete halt.
Although these are just a few symptoms that can be experienced due to stress, there are many other ways that it can present itself.
We can experience respiratory issues, cardiovascular conditions and most commonly, muscular skeletal issues among others.
Although it’s advisable to seek medical attention for the conditions discussed in this article, treating and managing your stress in the correct way should be your focus.
Because the body has the miraculous ability to store memories and information in the cells and muscles, we are able to touch on the pressure points where this information is stored.
Body Stress Release (BSR) is a carefully developed technique which aims to unlock the tension that is stored in the body due to various forms of stress.
This technique is not exclusively for individuals experiencing pain or stiff muscles. In fact, anyone from young children to geriatrics can benefit from BSR.
If you would like more information about body stress, how BSR can benefit you, please feel free to contact me.
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