Stress is often a hidden symptom that affects both our mental and physical health. Widely underestimated it can cause anxiety, depression, affect memory and the ability to relate with others. The physical side effects caused by stress are usually mistaken for another condition because they can be so debilitating and in extreme cases fatal. Does that sound extreme? Think about how stress leads to heart attacks and has sometimes been linked to other terminal illnesses. While it may not be the only cause, the suppressant effect it has on our immune system will leave the body unable to effectively fight illnesses.

How Does Stress Affect Our Bodies?

• Cardiovascular system - high levels of stress can trigger strokes, high blood pressure or heart disease.
• Weight gain - stress can affect both our metabolism and also our eating habits
• Impaired immunity - Those who suffer from stress will find that they get ill more often and stomach ulcers are just one of the many symptoms that signal that you may be suffering from stress
• Aches and pain - triggers migraines, headaches and general aches throughout the body
• Skin eruptions - acne, eczema, psoriasis are all aggravated by stress
• Insomnia - the inability to relax leads to disrupted sleep
• Sexual dysfunction - the inability to relate to others can be a physical as well as a mental problem
• Allergic reactions - can increase when the body is under stress

This is not an exhaustive list of the problems that can appear or worsen with stress and disorders related to the nervous system in particular are affected including bowel disorders, digestive problems and chronic pain.

The Physiology of Stress

There are three distinct physiological responses that stress creates in the body:

1. Stress Alarm Reaction also known as the fight or flight response

A sudden burst of energy caused by the flood of chemicals and hormones into the bloodstream including endorphins and adrenalin. Blood pressure and breathing rate are increased, digestion is slowed down and blood rushes to the major organs.

2. Stress resistance

This stage is reach once the initial perceived ´threat´ has gone. Now the ´danger´is over the body starts returning to normal although still on alert and will begin to repair any tissue damaged during the stress alarm reaction stage.

3. Stress exhaustion

This is the third and most dangerous stage because the body is experiencing continued stress and does not get a chance to repair the damage that has been done. The excess of chemical released can suppress the immune system and it is most likely to be the cardiovascular system that will suffer the most.

Stress is a necessary response to certain situations and if it is only occasional, will not harm the body. However, if we reach stress exhaustion where the body is not given time to repair the damage done, the body will inevitably suffer. If the mind is not given time to relax, that too will create mental and emotional problems. That is why it is so important to find a way to relieve stress whether through exercise, meditation, music or any other method that suits you.