It's a fact. Chronic stress can negatively affect your health. Here is what happens.
It's called the fight or flight response. Our body was designed to help us avoid danger, therefore a series of chemical reaction occur in our body when ever we sense stress. Back in the day of the cave man this was a much needed response. We had to either fight or flee from predators such as the sabor toothed tiger.
v Our muscles tense preparing us to fight or flee. Cortisol increases leading to reduced muscle mass. Muscle tension may cause pressure on nerves. Tight muscles reduce circulation, allowing waste products from inflammation and normal muscle function to accumulate leaving you feeling fatigued and sore, reducing your energy reserves. Poor circulation causes the body to lay down collegen fibers creating scar tissue. This reaction can “glue” muscles to a shortened state. Chronic muscle tension may lead to headaches, stiff neck and shoulders, chronic back pain and muscle spasms.
v Our blood flow is directed away from your gut. After all if there is a tiger chasing you you need all of the energy you can muster. No time for digesting food. This can lead to nausea, bloating, gas and constipation. It is associated with irritable bowel, ulcers, and acid reflux.
v Our Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) goes on high alert status. This elevation of the ANS
Ø Adrenaline kicks in raising our heart rate and blood pressure. LDL rises, HDL drops leading to hardening of the arteries, possible stroke and heart attack.
Ø Impairs the ability to fight off pathogens affecting the immune system. Can suppress the immune system leading to frequent colds, flu and infections. May over activate the immune system leading to allergies, asthma and autoimmune diseases.
Ø Slows down the reproductive system reducing levels of testosterone, estrogen and progestegen. This may lead to infertility, suppressed libido( lower your stress level and you may not need Viagra) PMS and menopausal symptoms ( Hot flashes, mood swings)
Ø Increases Catechloamines suppressing brain activity associated with short term memory, concentration and rational thought. Also promotes atrophy of nerve cells in the hippocampus ( region used for special and verbal memory) Can result in depression, anxiety, memory and concentration problems.
Ø Increases cortisol which leads to elevated levels of sugar in the blood, increased appetite, enhanced fat storage ( mainly around the mid section) all leading to weight gain---rise in insulin and possible type two diabetes.
Back in the day of the cave man it wasn’t a problem. When the danger was over all systems returned to normal. But our stress comes in a variety of packages these days. Traffic Jams, spouses and children, financial worries, taking care of aging parents or loved ones, the boss, the co-worker, the client all keep us constantly in the stress response and our body never has a chance to return to normal.
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