These are the consequences of stress on body and mind

Stress effects

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It is no secret that stress has an impact on body and mind. Too much hectic makes us sick. We tell you the most common symptoms and how to interpret them correctly.

Being constantly stressed and always rushing from one appointment to the next - that's unhealthy. And we all know that very well. Nevertheless, you often just can't get around hectic times.

Just as we are all different, so are the stress effects on our body and our psyche. Because everyone ticks and reacts differently to tension and stress.

Some get really bad headaches. Others are so restless inside that they can no longer sleep or think. Stress manifests itself through a whole range of different symptoms.

These range from ones we already know anyway to ones we've never heard of. Or would never associate them with stressful times.

A good example is teeth grinding. Would you have known that stress can have an impact on your teeth?

How stress effects become noticeable

Stress symptoms are nothing more than our body's reaction to a very sudden stress.

As I said, everyone reacts differently. Nevertheless, symptoms of stress can be divided into four categories. There is no formula for which ones come into play how and when for whom.

  1. Physical stress effects such as heart palpitations or tension
  2. Mental stress symptoms like problems with concentration or inner restlessness
  3. Psychological stress effects such as panic or anxiety
  4. Behavioral effects such as loss of appetite or nail biting.

You've probably recognized one or two of these symptoms a few times, haven't you?

Normally, these stress effects disappear all by themselves once the stressful situation is overcome.

What happens in the body during stress

Stress has an influence on our metabolism. The body releases messenger substances in stressful situations. The best known are adrenaline, noradrenaline and cortisol.

These substances now ensure that

  • our pupils dilate
  • we breathe faster and shallower
  • there is increased perspiration
  • the heart beats faster and thus the blood pressure increases
  • Sugar is released into the blood
  • the large muscles are better supplied with blood
  • there is a tension of the muscles
  • the brain is supplied with more blood

Stress effects

In short, we are now full of power. That's good. But only if it's not a permanent state.

If the condition lasts longer, then the blood sugar level rises and our blood overacidifies.

Our body now begins to defend itself against this and tries to restore the normal state. If it doesn't succeed, it can happen that the bronchial tubes, among other things, contract. That's why we breathe much more shallowly in stressful situations.

Failure to reduce stress hormones weakens the thyroid and sex glands.

That is why women who put themselves under real stress by wanting to have children are often said not to get pregnant.

And later the whole immune system suffers.

What acute stress effects there are

As you have already seen, stress can be divided into four broad categories. However, you also need to know that it is very unlikely that only one stress symptom will affect you.

Most of the time, there are several effects that make life difficult for us. They occur either simultaneously or one after the other.

The longer we don't get out of the hectic situation, the greater the likelihood that new stress effects will be added.

Common physical symptoms of stress include

  • Cardiovascular problems such as rapid heartbeat, high blood pressure, dizziness and difficulty breathing.
  • Pain and tension in the neck and back
  • Headache and joint pain
  • Digestive problems such as diarrhea, constipation, heartburn and irritable bowel syndrome
  • Twitching of the eyelids or limbs that cannot be controlled
  • Muscle cramps
  • Impure skin, dry skin or rashes of any kind
  • Sleep disorders and associated exhaustion and chronic fatigue

Stress effects and symptoms

Why permanent stress is so dangerous

Our body releases hormones to help us cope with stressful situations. Once everything is over, the all-clear is given and everything returns to normal.

However, it becomes dangerous when we are under constant stress. Because then our body does not get the all-clear. The stress hormones are not broken down.

Also, when we have stress very often it can happen that the body gets used to the hormones.

Now it can be really dangerous for your health. Because now your body begins to develop a whole series of stress effects in succession or sometimes simultaneously.

And at some point the barrel is full. And we get to feel that several times over.

The stress hormone cortisol weakens the immune system. We become more susceptible to infections of all kinds, are permanently exhausted and can even suffer from depression.

Permanent stress makes our soul sick. Common symptoms are

  • Depression
  • Burnout
  • Chronic exhaustion
  • Anxiety disorders
  • Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
  • Forgetfulness
  • Concentration problems
  • The development of addictions such as drinking or smoking.
  • Eating disorders such as binge eating, anorexia or obesity

How you can mitigate stress effects

Well, now you know what you have and maybe you can even check off some things in the list. The point now is that you manage to calm your body down again.

There are three ways you can deal with stress

  1. Change yourself
    Easy to say, isn't it? However, it is really the case that we are often the trigger ourselves. Think about what triggered the stress and how you reacted to it.
    It can help if you're not too perfectionistic or get more organized.
  2. Change the environment
    What can you change about your environment in the long run? Maybe changing your job, breaking up with someone or moving house are the solution.
  3. Reduce the stress response
    Give yourself a break for a day. Or just a few hours. How about wellness, mountain climbing or a really effective workout?
    The best stress killer of all is sport! You concentrate on the situation and sweat away the stress of everyday life.

Our conclusion

Stress effects are manifold. They affect everyone in different situations and some earlier than others. Overall, however, too much hectic is very unhealthy for all of us. It starts with physical symptoms and extends to psychological problems.

Try to find a solution and break out of the permanent stress! All the best for you!

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