Lesson Three - How Stress Affects Your Body
Stress and the Body
Have you ever been so stressed that it feels as though you are physically or mentally drained? Maybe your body starts to ache, you have developed a medical condition such as diabetes, or you have noticed that you have gained some weight. All of these things can be attributed to prolonged exposure to stress. It is important to note, however, that this is only one explanation for these symptoms and if you are concerned, you should consult a professional.
Stress can affect many different parts of your body. We will briefly look at seven systems and analyse the effects that stress has on each of these systems.
Click each collapsible row for more information.
The musculoskeletal system involves the muscles and skeleton of the body. When something stressful happens, the bodyâs first reaction is to tense up the muscles. If the stress is short term, the muscles will automatically relax on their
own after a short period of time. If the stress is more prolonged, the muscles will remain in a tensed up state. When the muscles continue to stay tense, pain, such as tension headaches and migraines, as well as lower and upper back
issues, ensue.
Watch
For a quick refresher on how stress can affect the musculoskeletal system, watch the video below.
The respiratory system makes sure that oxygen gets to all of the cells of the body; it also removes carbon dioxide from the body. Strong emotions such as stress can severely affect the respiratory system by constricting the airway between
the nose and lungs. This can result in shortness of breath or rapid breathing. For those people who do not already have breathing issues, this may not present any problems. However, if a person has respiratory issues (such as asthma or
COPD), shortness of breath or rapid breathing caused by stress can be life threatening.
It has been suggested that acute stress (for example, the death of a close friend or family member) can actually be the trigger for an asthma attack. Hyperventilating (rapid breathing) caused by stress has also been shown to induce panic attacks in people who are prone to getting panic attacks.
It is highly recommended to work with a professional on developing behavioural strategies, relaxation techniques, and breathing exercises that work for the person who is having respiratory issues possibly affected by stress.
It has been suggested that acute stress (for example, the death of a close friend or family member) can actually be the trigger for an asthma attack. Hyperventilating (rapid breathing) caused by stress has also been shown to induce panic attacks in people who are prone to getting panic attacks.
It is highly recommended to work with a professional on developing behavioural strategies, relaxation techniques, and breathing exercises that work for the person who is having respiratory issues possibly affected by stress.
Watch
To hear what stress can do to the respiratory system.The cardiovascular system is made up of two main components: blood vessels and the heart. These two components work together with the respiratory system to provide oxygen to the body. When you experience stress, your body releases stress
hormones (adrenaline, noradrenaline, and cortisol) which tell the heart to beat faster and contract harder.
The blood vessels that take blood to the heart and large muscles also dilate when stress is experienced, meaning that the large muscles and heart are getting more blood. This extra blood is what is known as the âflight, fight, or freezeâ response. Once you are removed from the short term stress, your body will return back to its normal state.
If someone is experiencing stress on a long term basis, there is an increased chance of hypertension (high blood pressure), heart attack, or stroke. Remember that if you are experiencing prolonged stress, you should consult a professional to help you learn techniques in order to lessen the effects on your body.
The blood vessels that take blood to the heart and large muscles also dilate when stress is experienced, meaning that the large muscles and heart are getting more blood. This extra blood is what is known as the âflight, fight, or freezeâ response. Once you are removed from the short term stress, your body will return back to its normal state.
If someone is experiencing stress on a long term basis, there is an increased chance of hypertension (high blood pressure), heart attack, or stroke. Remember that if you are experiencing prolonged stress, you should consult a professional to help you learn techniques in order to lessen the effects on your body.
Watch
To hear what stress can do to the cardiovascular system.
The main part of the endocrine system in relation to stress is the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. The hypothalamus is located in the brain and it connects the brain with the endocrine system. When the hypothalamus engages the
endocrine system in times of stress, the pituitary gland gets a message to produce a hormone, which then signals the adrenal gland to actually release the stress hormone cortisol.
Cortisol is normally produced and released in the body throughout the day. It is regularly released in response to events like waking up and exercising and slowly declines through the day so the body can naturally relax and go to sleep at night. However, if a person is experiencing stress, the body will release higher levels of cortisol so that they have the energy to concentrate solely on what is causing them stress.
While cortisol is helpful in times of short term stress, it can be harmful to a personâs health if they are experiencing long term stress. It has been shown that an increase of prolonged cortisol release can be damaging to the body. The immune system could become compromised, resulting in chronic fatigue, immunity disorders, or even metabolic disorders such as diabetes and obesity.
Cortisol is normally produced and released in the body throughout the day. It is regularly released in response to events like waking up and exercising and slowly declines through the day so the body can naturally relax and go to sleep at night. However, if a person is experiencing stress, the body will release higher levels of cortisol so that they have the energy to concentrate solely on what is causing them stress.
While cortisol is helpful in times of short term stress, it can be harmful to a personâs health if they are experiencing long term stress. It has been shown that an increase of prolonged cortisol release can be damaging to the body. The immune system could become compromised, resulting in chronic fatigue, immunity disorders, or even metabolic disorders such as diabetes and obesity.
Watch
Check out the video below to learn more about the HPA Axis.
Gastrointestinal is anything to do with gut health. When the body experiences stress, the bacteria in the gut can sometimes change which can have a major influence on mood. Stress early in life can alter the development of the nervous system
and how the body reacts to stress, which, in turn, increases the risk of gut diseases later in life.
There are three main areas that are affected within the gastrointestinal system: the esophagus, the stomach, and the bowel.
There are three main areas that are affected within the gastrointestinal system: the esophagus, the stomach, and the bowel.
- Esophagusâwhen a person is stressed, they tend to eat either more or less than usual. Eating more or different food (or increasing an intake of alcohol or tobacco) can also increase heartburn or acid reflux. Stress can also make swallowing difficult, which could then result in gassiness or bloating.
- Stomachâexperiencing stress can emphasize pre-existing issues in the stomach. Stress does not cause stomach ulcers but may exacerbate the symptoms of a pre-existing ulcer.
- Bowelâstress can easily affect how food moves through the bowels, where nutrients are absorbed, and overall digestion.
Watch
To see how stress affects the gastrointestinal system!
The nervous system works in conjunction with many of the aforementioned systems. It can be considered the âcoordinatorâ of all of these systems, so when a person is experiencing stress, the sympathetic nervous system signals the adrenal
glands to produce the cortisol and adrenaline needed to deal with the stressful event. An increase in blood pressure, a faster heart rate, and changes in the digestive system can be experienced.
Watch
What happens when all of these systems work together? The video below sums up how the body systems work together when you experience both short and long term stress.