What Stress Can Do To Your Body

Stress is a part of life. We all experience some stress now and again, and some can even be good for us. However, stress becomes an issue when it is chronic and impacting our physical and mental health. Take a look at the effect of stress on the body.

Short-Term

Stress hormones are immediately released after a person confronts a stressor. Cortisol, the primary stress hormone, increases in the bloodstream while reducing bodily functions that aren't essential in a fight-or-flight situation. Adrenaline is also released during stress responses. You may recognize some of these short-term effects of stress:

• Headache
• Muscle Tension/Pain - The muscle tension brought on by stress is a common cause of tension headaches.
• Chest Pain
• Racing Heartbeat
• Fatigue
• Upset Stomach
• Spikes in blood pressure
• Shortness of breath
• Sweating
• Increase or decrease in appetite
• Dry mouth

Long-Term

Generally, the body will return back to normal stress levels after the stressor has gone away. People living with chronic stress fail to return to normal levels, which can have a number of negative effects on the body.

• Chronic stress can make existing health issues worse
• Prolonged periods of stress may cause disease
• May suffer from digestive problems
• May have trouble sleeping

The good news is that a lot of the stress you encounter in everyday life can be managed through a variety of techniques. Some of them are quick fixes and others require a strong commitment to stress management.

We hope that you find a stress management solution to keep your stress levels in check. For all of your insurance needs in California, contact the team at Jack Stone Insurance Agency today.