Three Physical Symptoms of Chronic Stress Everyone Should Know About
A little bit of stress is good for you. It can help keep you focused and motivated to meet a deadline at work or safe in situations when your fight-or-flight response kicks in. The problem is that many people experience prolonged or chronic stress which can take a toll on the way you feel.
Chronic stress kicks the cortisol hormone into overdrive and reduces serotonin and other neurotransmitters in the brain (dopamine). All of these changes in your brain caused by stress can impact your physical health and wellness.
Right now, stress can seem like another part of the new normal. April is Stress Awareness Month and a great time to help spread awareness about what chronic stress can do to your mind and body. Watch out for these common physical symptoms of stress that could be affecting the way you feel.
Frequent Headaches
Stress is a common trigger of tension-type headaches and migraines. When your body is stressed, your neck and scalp muscles become tense or contract, causing frequent headaches. In some cases, once headaches kick in, depression and anxiety
can follow. It’s a vicious cycle that can take a debilitating toll on your health.
Upset Stomach
The brain has a direct effect on the stomach and intestines and vice versa. Stress signals can change the way your GI system functions, leading to digestive problems caused by prolonged stress. More specifically, when you have elevated stress
levels, your brain can signal distress and cause contractions that lead to stomach aches and pain.
Body Aches
Much like stomach and headache pain, stress can cause body aches and pains. Your muscles tense up when your body is stressed to protect themselves from injury. The muscles will relax when you release tension, but the problem is that prolonged
stress levels keep muscles tense and cause body aches.
Reduce Stress By Making Self-Care A Priority
We can’t completely avoid stress in life. However, managing stress is an essential part of overall wellness. Our expert-endorsed wellness app can help you improve your sleep, anxiety, depression and monitor substance use which can all help
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