The Effects Of Stress On The Body
There are many different effects of stress on the body. The short term effects have been well documented and studied by biologists. The long term effects are harder to assess in scientific research because they can vary from person to person, but stress is much better understood now than it was a few decades ago.
Stress causes a set of physical responses collectively known as the “fight or flight” response. The hormone adrenaline is released into our bodies in order to prepare us to escape from danger or fight off the threat. Our heart rate increases, respiration becomes more rapid, muscles tense and our senses become sharper. This is a response possessed by most animals.
How all of this works is that the hypothalamus gland is activated by stress. Our hormonal system cannot distinguish between different types of stress stimuli, but it does react differently depending on the perceived severity of the threat as well as whether not the threat is an imminent one.
The sympathetic nervous system and the endocrine glands receive a signal from the brain and then fill the body with the stress hormones. These hormones include adrenaline, cortisol and norepinephrine. These are our bodies’ equivalent of putting “all hands on deck”.
The heart rate goes up and more blood flows to the large muscle groups, preparing us for fighting or running away. The blood vessels nearest the skin retract to restrict bleeding if we are injured. Our blood sugar soars to quicken our reaction time and boost our energy levels.
During this time, our reproductive and digestive systems slow down, as does the flow of growth hormones and the immune system.
If we are facing a real physical threat, these autonomic responses are incredibly useful and can help us to survive a dangerous situation.
Most of the stressful situations we face do not have to do with facing off against predatory animals, however. Instead, these stimuli are more likely to be along the lines of deadlines at work or in other situations where fight or flight is usually not the best response.
When we have this response and do not have to actually respond in a “fight or flight” fashion, then the physical effects linger. In many case, this lasts until the next stressful stimulus comes up.
As a result, a good number of us spend our lives in a near constant stressed out state ? which is not healthy for us. Our cardiovascular system can be overworked and our digestive systems underactive. Immune function can be compromised and the reproductive system working at a lower capacity. We can suffer from indigestion, migraines or even heart problems due to this heightened stress level.
The effects of stress on the body are harmful to our cardiovascular system and keep our immune system from doing its job properly ? it’s no mystery why people get sick so often these days!
