Under Pressure
Sep 27
3 min read
How Chronic Stress Affects the Systems of the Body
(and what you can do you to manage the effects)
The sensations of stress seep all the way through every molecule in your body.
You feel the tension in your muscles. You can’t seem to relax. Your upper back and neck are always tight. You’re unsure of how to move past the constant onslaught of stress that seems to have carried on for continuous days or months, possibly years. You instinctively know that constantly being in this state has to be impacting your body in an adverse way. So what exactly is happening on the inside when your body is stuck in a perpetual spiral of felt distress? Let’s unpack the proverbial Pandora’s box of CHRONIC STRESS and its impacts on the body in the simplest way possible.
The Muscular System: muscle tension, connective tissue “holding”, increased inflammation, joint pain
The Skeletal System: reduced bone density, osteopenia, osteoporosis
The Endocrine System: adrenal fatigue, thyroid disease, type II diabetes
The Immune System: illness susceptibility, autoimmune conditions
The Cardiovascular System: high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol
The Respiratory System: shallow breathing, asthma, lung disease
The Integumentary System: hair loss, dermatological outbreaks, dry skin, brittle nails
The Digestive System: bloating, indigestion, constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, acid reflux disease
The Reproductive System: hormonal imbalances, increased cortisol levels
The Nervous System: difficulty concentrating, brain fog, negative thinking and mood
This breakdown is not an exhaustive list of the ways chronic stress can affect our bodies, but it IS exhausting to think about all the things that unchecked stress manifests as. I often hear myself saying that stress is the worst chronic illness. That's because it so directly influences the functioning of all of the systems of our body and the negative repercussions are cumulative.
Thankfully, body systems are always in constant motion and can be adjusted and shaped through positive, consistent habits. And while many of the conditions listed above are treated with medications, there are other natural avenues that can help manage or stave off the need for medical treatment. Scientific studies conducted over recent years have not only given us a better understanding of how chronic stress impacts our internal world, but also what mitigates the harmful consequences to our bodies.
Learning specific techniques that help elicit your body’s “relaxation response”— such as diaphragmatic breathing, mindfulness meditation, progressive muscle relaxation or rhythmic movement.
Engaging in regular, daily physical exercise that increases cardiovascular blood flow and oxygen throughout your body also lowers stress hormones and releases “feel good” endorphins.
Getting an adequate amount of sleep each night allows your body’s systems to recover and “reset” while also restoring equilibrium.
Maintaining a healthy social support network not only boosts your overall sense of wellbeing, but also increases the likelihood that you fare better after illnesses and live longer.
We truly are what we eat and giving our bodies healthy, whole foods as daily nourishment helps ensure optimal functioning in our body’s systems.
