We hear it all the time… ways to lower stress, tips for minimizing stress, meditations that help lessen stress… and believe it or not there’s even adults colouring books which primary objective is… you guessed it… helping to manage stress! We know this is something we all should be doing (managing stress that is, not colouring… although I’m all for having some colouring sessions!), but the question is, WHY exactly. Why is managing stress so important? What does it do to our bodies that require it to have this much attention? Below is a list (not by any means comprehensive) of things that stress affects… some might surprise you!

• Activates the “Fight or Flight” response – To our bodies, stress = danger, and the brain leaps into action, sending messages to the body that something is very very wrong. The adrenal glands will produce additional hormones such as cortisol, which raises blood pressure and blood sugar (among other things). This works great if you happen to have a bear chasing you, but not so much if your stress involves your job.
• Cravings – Ah yes, Emotional Eaters, I’m looking at you. Studies have linked cortisol to cravings for sugar and fat. The key is to know your stress triggers, and keep a good stock of healthy snacks close by!
• The spare tire – I’m sure cortisol is a great thing when released properly but wow can it wreak havoc when it’s not! Cortisol increases the amount of fat tissue your body holds onto, and can even enlarge the size of your fat cells. Especially belly fat. The key to battling this? Exercise!
• Heart – Evidence is mounting that there is a direct correlation between heart attacks and stress levels. Those most susceptible are people with stressful job and little decision-making power: 23% more likely to have a first heart-attack. Yikes!
• Insomnia – *Yawn*… yes, stress affects your sleep as well. Chronic stress levels can cause hyperarousal, which is a biological state in which people just don’t feel sleepy. And of course, if you aren’t getting a good night’s sleep that’s only going to precipitate your stress levels. Vicious cycle, for sure.
• Headache – We all know stress is a headache, but it can actually be a real headache. The adrenaline and cortisol released during a “fight or flight” response can cause vascular changes which leave you with a tension headache or migraine in the aftermath.
• Memory – Feeling not as on top of things as you normally are? Too much of our buddy cortisol can interfere with the brain’s ability to form new memories. It can also wreak havoc on thinking straight or retrieving other memories.
• Hair – Really? If the above wasn’t enough, acute stress can also cause hair loss! Additionally it’s been linked to be a trigger to the autoimmune condition called alopecia areata (spotted hair loss which are generally circles or ovals on any part of the scalp) and trichotillomania (which is the urge to pull hair out from your scalp)
• Digestion – Heartburn, stomach cramps and diarrhea can all be caused by or worsened by stress
• Brain tissue – Studies have shown that major stresses reduce the amount of tissue in regions of the brain that regulate emotions and self-control. What this means? It makes it harder for you to manage future stresses as well.
• Acne – Ah yes, our throwback to teen years. Bottom line? Stress can give you zits.
• Back pain – This one, I’ll be honest, was a little surprising to me, but when the body’s “fight or flight” response is triggered, the muscles tense in preparation, which can create or aggravate back pain!
• Stroke – Stress increases your chances of having a stroke, as much as four times according to some studies. Again… yikes!
• Colds – People exposed to the common cold virus are less likely to fight off the germs successfully if they have ongoing stress in their lives. Do you have a workplace that seems to have a high percentage of sick days taken? It may be time to evaluate the work environment!
• Job performance – The bottom line: Stress reduces productivity and satisfaction at work, and is linked to depression as well.
• Sex Drive – WHAT?! Is nothing sacred!? This is probably nothing surprising for couples dealing with it… but yes, stressed out people have less sex and enjoy it less when they do.

So now that you know that chaos that stress can cause on your body, tune in next week for ways to help lower your stress levels!   Image courtesy of Phaitoon/ FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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