What Happens When Stress Becomes a Silent Killer?
It should be noted that stress is an essential condition of life. It helps us complete work on time maybe for a presentation or an examination come up with solutions in case of an emergency. However, when stress turns to chronic and uncontrolled, it can work away harmfully without any notice. But out of all the types of stress, chronic stress is one that goes unnoticed and has disastrous effects on the health of millions of people. But how can we get there and what can and must we do to guard against it?
The Science of Stress
There is one as a result of stress that releases hormones namely cortisol and adrenaline that leads to the construction of a fighting spirit or fleeing. The hormones enhance the body’s capability to fight danger by raising rate of heartbeat, blood pressure, as well as increasing energy stores. This reaction however is beneficial once in a while but chronic stress elevates the body to a state that is dangerous continually.
The Ways in Which Being Overstressed Has Damaging Impacts on the Physical Health
Stress that persists can slowly erode the person’s health physically as well as mentally. Here are some of the most common ways it can affect your health:
- Heart Problems: Stress is considered a major risk factor which contributes to hypertension as well as heart diseases and stroke. Cortisol raises inflammation in blood vessels walls thus making them fragile to blocked or burst.
- Weakened Immune System: Stress weakens the body immunity since the body is more prone to infections and diseases. It weakens the body’s immune system over time, meaning that one will often be down with cold, flu or even other diseases.
- Mental Health Issues: Chronic stress has been pointed to lead to anxiety, depression, and insomnia. Stress undermines a person’s capacity to think and emotionally fine-tune resulting in deteriorated mental health.
- Digestive Problems: Stress for a long time is known to cause ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome plus a host of other stomach ailments. It unbalances the proportion of wholesome bacteria in the digestive system, aggravating the problem sssof digestion.
Signs of Chronic Stress
There in no sudden look of chronic stress; it develops over time. That’s why it is important for individuals taking them to begin noticing the signals before they deteriorate into major health risks.• Chronic temper or altered moods.• Less ability to sleep or feeling rested.• Headaches or body aches often or almost regularly.• Reduced or increased appetite.• Distracted and lesser efficiency in work.t builds gradually. Recognizing the signs early can prevent serious health complications. Look out for:
- Persistent irritability or mood swings.
- Difficulty sleeping or feeling rested.
- Frequent headaches or body aches.
- Loss of appetite or overeating.
- Decreased concentration and productivity.
How to Combat Chronic Stress
Although stress cannot be averted it can be dealt with to prevent harm on ones health. Here are some strategies:
- Exercise Regularly: Exercise also lowers cortisol, and the other hormone, endorphin, is a feel good hormone which relieves stress.
- Practice Mindfulness and Relaxation: Activities that can help in reducing stress include; Taking a walk, practicing yoga, meditating and even taking deep breaths.
- Healthy Diet: A well balanced diet including fruits, vegetables and whole grains have been also known to enhance body physical health and ability to handle stress.
- Adequate Sleep: Stress is caused by the day to day activities, as a result, ensure you get enough restful sleep.
- Social Support: Listening to people particularly friends, family and professionals can assist you deal with feelings and probably look at stressors in a different way.
- Professional Help: When stress seems like too much, a therapist or counselor can be consulted with to guide people towards helpful ways of handling stress.
Final Thoughts
Although stress is inevitable it does not have to rule one’s life. To ensure chronic stress does not turn into a silent killer it is important for a person to look out for signs and act before it is too late. Let me remind you, friends, that your health is one of your biggest wealth and stewardship of stress means a lot. Stress handling should be arguably one of the top priorities in student’s lives, at least, as a means of providing for a happily indebted future self.