How Does Stress Affect the Body?

We all experience stress as a minor part of everyday life. But more recently, more of us have been experiencing stress in higher concentrations that are far above what might be considered healthy level of stress. According to YouGov research, this is particularly relevant in the workplace. But most of us are also experiencing increasing challenges brought on by the cost-of-living crisis. Stress, at its worst, is a debilitating thing, that can have strong impacts both physically and emotionally – but how, exactly? Let’s look at how stress affects the body both physically and mentally.

Physical Effects of Stress

Stress is something of a hormonal response, and as such can create some intense physical sensations or symptoms in the body. On the more extreme end of the scale, ‘hair falling out from stress’ is not an idiom; telogen effluvium, or abruptly thinning hair, is a real bodily response to heightened stress hormones.

More common stress-related physical symptoms include higher blood pressure, tenser muscles and tension headaches, amongst a catalogue of other potential symptoms.

Some of these physical impacts can be mitigated or prevented as they occur; for example, there are hair supplements for women who experience thinning hair, and there are dietary habits (such as cutting down on salt) that can reduce any hypertensive effects caused by stress.

However, these do not address the root causes of these symptoms and represent only part of a much larger whole when it comes to tackling stress – as we are soon to discover.

Mental Impacts

Stress is also profoundly impactful on the mental health side of the equation. High concentrations of the stress hormone cortisol can have disruptive impacts on numerous other systems in your brain, including serotonin receptors and endorphin release systems. The result is a higher likelihood of experiencing anxiety or depression.

Indeed, anxiety is a common co-conspirator with stress. They share some physical symptoms, in the form of sinking feelings in the chest and faster heartbeats. The core reason for your stress can also inspire feelings of worry and concern, doubling the discomfort. The results of these mental issues can compound to make life exceedingly difficult, whether wicking away your concentration or draining your social battery.

Coping Strategies

Understanding and acknowledging how stress affects the body physically and mentally is essential. Perhaps you have some of the symptoms mentioned above and had not associated them with your elevated levels of stress.

So, what can be done to alleviate the symptoms of stress, or tackle it head-on?

The first step should be to attempt to identify the root cause of your stress; treating the symptoms will only stave off long-term impacts, without meaningfully reducing risk. If possible, reducing contact with the cause of your stress, or altering your relationship with it, is the best course of action.

Of course, where work or major life events are concerned, this might not be possible – in which case, giving yourself every chance to recharge and regroup is essential. A good diet and a good exercise routine can together stimulate healthy bodily processes and encourage ‘good’ hormones to counteract the cortisol.

If fact, as nutritional therapist Jane Hickey advises, certain food types can actually help alleviate stress and anxiety.

Additionally, exercise isn’t just about levels of fitness. Exercise also affects your brain and is known to reduce anxiety levels.