The Negative Health Impacts of Stress

By Aris Grigoriou

Many of us are well aware of the mental and emotional toll that stress can take on us, however emerging research shows that stress can also have a significant effect on our physical health and well-being. In fact, an astonishing 75 – 90% of all doctor’s office visits are for stress-related ailments and complaints.

The Science of Stress

To understand how and why stress affects our bodies, you need to have some knowledge of the neuroscience of stress. When we experience stress, the amygdala sends a distress signal to the hypothalamus which then floods the body with adrenaline. This triggers a “fight or flight response” which essentially puts the body into high alert mode. The aim of the fight or flight response is to improve your ability to perform well under pressure. The stress response prompts a number of physiological changes such as faster heart beats and rapid breathing. The brain then releases a stress hormone called cortisol which can temporarily change or shut down functions that get in the way of survival.

The Negative Health Impact of Stress

Studies indicate that that the physical symptoms of stress (e.g. headaches, stomach aches, insomnia etc.) are caused by this response which moves attention away from normal bodily functions. Research has also shown that those who suffer from chronic stress (i.e. when the stress system is continually activated over a long period of time), are more likely to suffer from health conditions down the line such as burnout, autoimmune disease and heart disease. What’s more, over-stress can also produce unhealthy lifestyle behaviours such as smoking, drinking and under/over-eating.

If you are interested in the science of stress and would like to learn more about how it affects your body, be sure to take a look at the infographic guide below from Study Medicine Europe.

About The Author

Defying Mental Illness

Chuck and Zoe are the founders of Defying Mental Illness (DMI), a Community Interest Company. Guest bloggers have played a very enriching role in making this website a highly recognized website for mental health advocacy. To contribute a blog, please contact us.

Defying Mental Illness – Put a Full Stop, is an organization with a mandate to reach out to those faced with mental health challenges to help them not only defy the disease, but also put a full stop to the stigma and discrimination. Chuck and Zoe are often invited to speak on various platforms including radio and television.

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