Whether in the form of minor frustrations or traumatic life events, stress has a negative effect on our life and wellbeing and at its worst extent a debilitating effect on mental health. Though a little bit of stress can provide good motivation, or even exhilaration, we have to know how to contain our stress within the bounds of helpful behaviour. Habitual stress can become an anxiety problem that prevents you from taking all you deserve from life. However, it seems likely that the habit of stress is out of control for most of us, with 70 per cent of doctor visits and 80 per cent of serious illnesses linked to stress.
The numerous impacts of stress upon our physical wellness are described in the following categories.
Hormones – stress takes birth from the primal ‘fight or flight’ response which has evolved over thousands of years as the individual’s self-protection mechanism. When you feel the sensation of danger, the hypothalamus sends triggers to the adrenals, resulting in the release of adrenaline and cortisol in the body. These raise blood pressure and blood sugar as part of their defensive mechanism – ideal if you’re outrunning a hungry bear, but less beneficial if you are simply sitting in a traffic jam.
The stress hormone cortisol is also linked to cravings for sugar and fat and can be held responsible for the emotional act of ‘comfort eating’. It is also thought that cortisol increases the amount of body fat your body holds onto, forming a direct correlation to belly fat. For this reason it’s best to avoid keeping unhealthy foods in the house and stock up with plenty of fruit and healthy snacks for times of anticipated stress.
Heart health – evidence continues to accumulate in proving a correlation between stress and hypertension, blood pressure and cardiovascular health. A recent European study found that employees with stressful jobs and a low sense of empowerment at work are 23% more likely to suffer a heart attack. Protect yourself from this dimension of stress by taking positive action in the world of work, and using suitable complementary therapies such as yoga and meditation to ease your stress.
Sleep problems – stress commonly causes hyper-arousal, where your brain just stays switched on and never feels sleepy. Insomnia can become a nasty habit which brings down your sense of wellness faster than nearly any other condition. Even the loss of just one night’s sleep can have devastating effects on your judgment and ability to stay calm in the face of pressure.
Headaches – the presence of ‘fight or flight’ chemicals in the body can cause vascular changes that leave tension headaches or migraines in their wake. Such headaches commonly take place in the aftermath of anxiety, and the ongoing habit of stress can contribute to constant tension which makes the headache worse. Cognitive abilities may also suffer lasting damage in this process, and it is thought that stress seriously inhibits our ability to form and retain memories.
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