“I’m doing fine.” That’s the normal response we get when we ask someone how they're doing. You would think this means that most people don’t have a worry in the world, but we’re not actually feeling that way. In fact, as I was looking for sources for this blog, I came across multiple different articles suggesting that Americans are among the most stressed people in the world. Even though it is tempting to point our fingers at our own pet reasons for why this is the case, the truth is there are numerous different and interconnecting reasons for our stress. The reality for some is that stress has become such an ever-present part of their lives that they don’t even realize it is abnormal and causing problems for them. Normal is a subjective word. We get used to things being a certain way and it may all seem normal to us until someone we trust actually points out, “That ain’t right!” During the month of April, I will be posting a series of blogs about stress and how we can start to manage it and reduce its harmful effects.

According to the Mayo Clinic* stress can cause a series of problems for:

Our bodies: Headache, muscle tension, chest pain, fatigue, reduced sex drive, upset stomach, sleep problems, getting sick more frequently
The brain and mood: Anxiety, restlessness, reduced motivation, poor memory, overwhelmed, angry, sad/depressed
Our behavior: over/undereating, outbursts, drug/alcohol/tobacco use, isolation, avoiding friends, being more sedentary

If you’ve noticed that you’ve been having more headaches, a stiff neck, increased cravings for sweets, and that you’re snapping at your family a lot more lately, you might be stressed out. Let me go ahead and say that stress isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Our bodies are designed to react to stress in a way that can actually be helpful*** for dealing with short term stressors. The problem is when our body continues to respond to chronic stress and the effects start to wear on the body. For the purpose of this article, we’re talking about chronic stress, not short term stressors.

The American Psychological Association has more specific information** about the effects that stress has on our bodies:

Musculoskeletal system: Stress causes our muscles to tighten in order to be ready for use (fight or flight), but chronic stress keeps those muscles always tight and always at the ready. This can cause a variety of body pains and problems.
Respiratory and cardiovascular systems: Stress causes an increased need for oxygen, so for those with existing respiratory problems, this can compound those issues. Ongoing stress puts pressure on the heart through increased exertion. It also increases heart disease risk, and the long-term presence of stress hormones can cause blood vessels to become inflamed.
Immune system: The Endocrine system produces more stress hormones during times of chronic stress and this can cause a variety of physical and mental health conditions. It can also make it easier for people to get sick.
Gastrointestinal system: The neurons in the digestive system are in constant communication with the brain. Stress can cause bloating, inflammation, and discomfort throughout the entire digestive system. It can disrupt the millions of digestive bacteria that live in the gut, and also weaken the lining of the intestines. This weakening can allow the gut to leak bacteria and food particles into the body. People with digestive health diseases are particularly prone to problems from stress.
Reproductive system: Stress can drastically lower libido in men and women. It can also negatively affect fertility and increase the odds of erectile dysfunction.

Stress wreaks havoc on the entire body. It does more than just give us butterflies in the stomach. A little stress creates a stress response that is designed to help us. A lot of ongoing stress starts to become a slow-acting poison. If you are having any of the symptoms listed in this blog, be honest with yourself (and also with your doctor). Yes, our bodies naturally have more trouble as we get older, but we worsen the problems when we ignore the impact that stress is having on our bodies and allow it to continue. The rest of this month will be devoted to helping people better understand what they can do about chronic stress in their lives.

*https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress-symptoms/art-20050987

**https://www.apa.org/topics/stress/body

***https://www.healthline.com/health/stress/effects-on-body