The mere mention of stress is enough to cause our muscles to tighten, breath to quicken, and heart rate to soar. We’ve all experienced stress—whether in our work, relationships, health, legal matters, or some other aspect of life. While it’s inseparable from living, it takes a toll on our health when it intensifies or becomes chronic.
What is stress?
Stress is the body’s natural reaction to changes or challenges, which includes many different physical, emotional, and behavioural responses. While it is a normal bodily function and an inevitable part of daily life, chronic stress and its effects can be destructive if they’re not managed.
Impacts of stress on the body
Chronic or severe stress can have a serious impact on a number of different parts of the body, including the brain, gut, heart, skin, and joints.
Stress on the brain
Stress triggers the release of the body’s primary stress hormone, cortisol. Research has established that, over time, elevated cortisol levels can lead to shrinkage of the hippocampus, a part of the brain involved in memory and learning.
Not only does stress have long-term impacts, including increasing the risk of dementia, but it also affects us in the short-term. Because stress has been linked to impaired functioning of both the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex of the brain, it can exacerbate depression.
Digesting stress
Research has shown that the quantity and nature of beneficial bacteria found in the gut can affect the brain. In medical circles, the gut is sometimes referred to as the “second brain” because the health of the two organs are linked, a connection often called the gut-brain axis.
That link between the digestive system and the nervous system can be directly impacted by stress. We know stress can be a causal factor of gut issues like heartburn, abdominal cramps, or loose stools; but stress, anxiety, or depression can also be the result of gut issues.
A heavy heart
Perhaps the least surprising effect of stress is its detrimental impact on the cardiovascular system. Studies demonstrate that high levels of cortisol can increase blood cholesterol, triglycerides, blood sugar, and blood pressure—some of the risk factors for heart disease.
Stress-skin connection
Stress can exacerbate skin conditions, including acne, eczema, and psoriasis, and it can also disrupt the epidermal barrier that moistens and protects the skin from harmful microbes.
Stress effects on joint health
Chronic stress can also aggravate inflammation in the body, exacerbating joint conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis. Stress-activated inflammation can even lead to increased pain sensitivity, creating a vicious cycle of stress, inflammation, and pain.
Decompress and de- stress
Before you become stressed at the mere discussion of stress, remember to break the cortisol cycle by slowing down, stretching, and reflecting. There are many great natural remedies as well as prevention and management strategies that can help; but, first, you just have to breathe.
By Michelle Schoffro Cook, PhD, DNM
