9 Ways Stress Can Make You Sick
"If it feels like “stressed out” is your new normal, you’re not alone. According to a survey published in March 2022 by the American Psychological Association (APA), 87 percent of adults agreed that the past two years have been marked by one crisis after another. Participants cited the war in Ukraine, inflation, and economic concerns as new stressors and the ongoing pandemic as a recurring one.
While these types of stressors likely feel like the overwhelming kinds, it’s important to remember that not all stress we face is bad. The National Institutes of Health (PDF) says stress is “how the body and brain responds” to demands. When the demands are more than you can cope with, you start to feel stress, according to a commentary on psychological stress and disease published in JAMA.
“Stress that lasts years or a long time is usually the worst kind of stress,” says Bert Uchino, PhD, a professor of psychology at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, who studies stress in aging populations.
It’s this type of chronic stress that causes changes in the body that can do damage and contribute to disease in some cases, says Uchino. Blood tests can reveal inflammation, changes in blood pressure, and elevated levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which can all be signs of chronic stress.
9 Illnesses That Stress May Help Cause or Make Worse
1. Depression and Other Mental Health Conditions
2. Insomnia
3. Cardiovascular Disease
4. Common Cold
5. HIV and AIDS
6. Gastrointestinal Disease
7. Chronic Pain
8. Cancer
9. Autoimmune Conditions
Overall, if you are wanting more help with your chronic stress, speak to your doctor or a trained mental health provider to help support you."
*It's incredible how much of an effect stress can have on our physical, as well as mental, health. I remember in college I would work myself up so much, that I would get sick and then I would feel stressed out AND have a headache😂 It's so important that we take care of ourselves so that we can be our best selves. Remember to take care of yourself and listen to your body. If your body is telling you it needs rest, make sure you take the time necessary! It's not worth the consequences later on. ❤️*
#Stress #Sickness #StressedOut
Please find the full article available at Everyday Health.
@fruityPond7887
"Being stressed is the new normal"~ the one where everyone relates. Lol! :')
Stress indeed has many ways to affect us, it's so awful how sometimes we don't even "actively" realise we are stressed about something. Life stressors affect everyone, and it sure is a great reminder that we are all more or less in the same boat. Thankyou for the reminder, wonderful Pond, it is definately quite important to allow ourselves to breathe and simply *be* sometimes.❤
The consequences are certainly not worth it oops! *-*
@Sunisshiningandsoareyou You got that right Sun! I think sometimes it's really important to step back and remember that we are all in this together and I think that can bring a sense of comfort for many people when they feel as though they couldn't be more alone. Thank you for sharing! 💛
@fruityPond7887 Stress causes negativity and it can be so damaging for both physical and mental health. It is very sad that the biggest part of population in nowaday's society is suffering from stress and I think that both in aducation and working environment, teachers/employers should take care that the individuals meaintain interest, enjoy their time and never burn out. Thank you for the post!
@calmDew1576 I agree with you 100%! I think our society runs on the idea that things need to get done, not that we need to take care of ourselves first. I think this is especially true in the classroom. There is so much material that needs to get covered that when someone falls behind, it becomes so much harder for them to catch up and the stress just gets worse. It's a shame our system is so flawed. Thank you for sharing your thoughts!
@fruityPond7887
Evolutionary and biologically speaking stress is meant to be a short term state in which our body is alert and able to handle situations in which they may be require additionally alertness, mental and physical capability. It's like your body making an investment by diverting more resources to the present where a situation may demand such. When it becomes long term, your body becomes quickly exhausted and prone to various pathologies as it never has time to recover and recuperate.
@sunnyWriting4806 Exactly! Our minds aren't meant to handle society's stressors for as long term as they last nowadays. Thank you for sharing!
