Quick Health Tips For Busy People Healthy Eating Fitness Health Issues Readers Share Information
Subscribe To This Site
The Effects Of Stress On Health
Understanding the effects of stress on health and your body, and how it affects your emotional and physical well being is key to a healthy and happy lifestyle. Constantly feeling stressed can cause numerous health problems.
"Stress is the nonspecific response of the body to any demand made upon it - Hans Seyle"
Although we know the positive effects of stress and that it is necessary, too much can be potentially harmful.
The body's response to a threat - stress, is to prepare it for action, the "fight-or-flight" reaction. Immediately the 'alarm' is raised a series of signal begins. Hormones are released by the pituitary and adrenal glands which trigger the following responses:-
Increased breathing rate
Blood pressure rises
Heart rate increases
Blood sugar levels increase
Possible chest pain
The digestive system stops working
It's important to note there could be many other medical reasons for these changes! When the stress has passed, the body's system naturally returns to normal and life goes on happily! However, when the body is constantly exposed to stress our physical and emotional health can be harmed. A simple tip, did you know that exercise reduces stress?
Effects on Health of Long Term Exposure to Stress
Exposure to increased levels of stress hormones can disrupt many of the body's processes and put us at risk of a variety of health problems:-
Digestive problems
Increased risk of stroke
Headaches or migraine
Depression
Increased risk of heart attack
Sleep problems
Increased susceptibility to minor illnesses
Worsening of skin conditions such as eczema
Obesity
That's why it's important to know about the effects of stress on health and then learn to cope with it.
Welcome! I'm Tiffany - fifty something midlifer - 20 years experience! This site is packed with advice and information to help you get the most out of life by becoming, healthier, fitter, happier and ultimately taking you to a more satisfying future. C'mon, let's do it together!
Want to know more? Contact me - I like to talk:-) or find out more about me.
I'm Tiffany - fifty something midlifer - 20 years experience! This site is packed with advice and information to help you get the most out of life by becoming, healthier, fitter, happier and ultimately taking you to a more satisfying future. C'mon, let's do it together!