How Does Stress Affect Your Body?
The Effects of Stress Are Wide Reaching - The following is a list of ways the body reacts to stress:
Click on the link to see an illustration how stress affects your body self-care-essentials-for-womene284a22
1. The Nervous System
- When stressed physically or psychologically - the body suddenly shifts its energy resources to fighting off the perceived threat. This is known as the “Flight or Flight” response.
- The sympathetic nervous system signals the adrenal glands to release adrenaline and cortisol.
- These hormones make the heart beat faster, increase the blood pressure, change the digestive process and boost glucose levels in the bloodstream.
- Once the crisis passes, body systems usually return to normal.
2. The Musculoskeletal System
- Under stress, muscles tense up.
- The contraction of muscles for extended periods can trigger tension headaches, migraines and various musculoskeletal conditions.
3. The Respiratory System
- Stress can make you breathe harder and cause rapid breathing or hyperventilation - which can bring on panic attacks in some people.
4. The Cardiovascular System
- Acute Stress - stress that is momentary, such as being stuck in traffic - causes an increase in heart rate and stronger contractions of the heart muscle.
- Blood vessels that direct blood to the large muscles and to the heart dilate - which increases the amount of blood pumped to these parts of the body.
- Repeated episodes of acute stress can cause inflammation in the coronary arteries, thought to lead to a heart attack.
5. The Endocrine System
- Adrenal Glands - when the body is stressed, the brain sends signals from the hypothalamus, causing the adrenal cortex to produce cortisol and the adrenal medulla to produce epinephrine - sometimes called the “Stress Hormones“.
- Liver - when cortisol and epinephrine are released, the liver produces more glucose, a blood sugar that would give you the energy for “Fight or Flight” in an emergency.
6. The Gastrointestinal System
- Esophagus - Stress may prompt you to eat much more or much less than you usually do.
- If you eat more or different foods or increase your use of tobacco or alcohol, you may experience heartburn or acid reflux.
- Stomach - Your stomach may react with “butterflies” or even nausea or pain.
- You may vomit if the stress is severe enough.
- Bowels - Stress can affect digestion and which nutrients your intestines absorb. I
- It can also affect how quickly food moves through your body.
- You may experience either diarrhea or constipation.
7. The Reproductive System
- In men, excess amounts of cortisol, produced under stress, can affect the normal functioning of the reproductive system.
- Chronic stress can impair testosterone, sperm production and cause impotence.
- In women, stress can cause absent, irregular menstrual cycles or more-painful periods.
- It can also reduce sexual desire.
