The effects of stress go beyond just feeling overwhelmed. Chronic stress has been linked to heart issues, weakened immunity, digestive problems, sleep disruption, and even changes in memory and mood. Translation: it’s not just in your head, it’s in your entire body.
In small doses, stress is actually helpful. It’s what gets you out the door on time or helps you meet a deadline. But when it becomes chronic (constant pressure, ongoing anxiety, or never unplugging), your body stays in a prolonged state of high alert.
That means stress hormones like cortisol don’t get a break, and, over time, this can wear down multiple systems in your body. Understanding how stress works is the first step toward keeping it from running the show long term.
Visit with our specialists at Primary Care Doctors of Grand Prairie in Grand Prairie, Texas, to get screened for stress-related concerns and learn ways to ease stressors in your life.
The following can boost stress and cortisol levels:
A combination of factors may contribute to chronic stress, which can take a toll on your physical and mental well-being over time.
Here are some ways chronic stress can impact your health long term:
Chronic stress and the inflammation and hormone changes it may cause can contribute to aches and pains. Examples include headaches, muscle tension, jaw clenching, joint pain, and muscle pain. You might also experience chest pain or a racing heart because of ongoing stress.
Stress can negatively affect your sleep, increasing the risk of insomnia and other sleep disorders. Studies show that sleep deficiency boosts the risk of high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, a heart attack, and other medical concerns.
Ongoing stress can take a toll on your energy and mood. It can alter your social behavior, causing you to want to stay in more often (social withdrawal). It might cloud your thoughts, make it difficult to focus or remember things, increase the risk of alcohol or drug use, and lead to anxiety and/or depression. You might also feel irritable or experience panic attacks.
Stress can alter your appetite and metabolism, increasing cravings for junk food and hunger. Some people who are chronically stressed eat for emotional reasons, using food as a way to cope with stressful life circumstances. Weight gain is a common outcome of ongoing stress.
Some digestive problems are also linked to long-term stress. Examples include constipation, diarrhea, nausea, cramping, bloating, abdominal pain, and gut microbiome imbalance. Ongoing stress can also lead to chronic digestive disorders like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Here are a few simple ways to ease chronic stress and avoid ongoing stress-related health problems:
If you need relief from anxiety, depression, or other mood disorders, treating these conditions with therapy and/or medications in addition to healthy lifestyle changes can be extremely helpful.
Schedule a stress-focused health screening with our primary care specialists at Primary Care Doctors of Grand Prairie by calling our office or requesting an appointment online today.
