Everyone has some level of stress in their life, right?
It may be fleeting or temporary (acute), or more long-term (chronic).
Acute stress doesn’t usually mess with your health too much. It is the natural reaction your body has to some circumstances, and it can even be life-saving.
Then when the ‘stressor’ (aka ‘the threat’) has passed, the reaction subsides, and all is well and good again.
It is the chronic stress that is a big problem as your body has specific reactions to stress. If these reactions are triggered every day, or lots of times throughout the day, it can mess with your health.
Stress (and stress hormones) can have a huge impact on your health.
So, let’s dive into the mess that is stress.
Mess #1 – Increased risk of heart disease and diabetes
Why save something so important til last? Anything that increases the risk for heart disease and diabetes, which are both very serious and chronic conditions, needs to be discussed.
Stress increases the risk of heart disease and diabetes as it promotes chronic inflammation. This affects the ‘thickness’ of your blood, as well as well your cells respond to insulin.
Mess #2 – Immunity
Have you noticed that you get sick more often when you are stressed? You might get cold sores, colds, or even the dreaded flu more frequently when you are stressed.
This is because stress hormones affect the chemical messengers (cytokines) secreted by immune cells which means they are less likely to be able to do their job effectively.
Mess #3 – “Leaky Gut.”
Stress can be a contributor to a leaky gut, otherwise known as “intestinal permeability”. These “leaks” can then allow partially digested food, bacteria or other things to be absorbed into your body.
The stress hormone cortisol can open up tiny holes by loosening the grip your digestive cells have to each other.
Think about it like this: Have you ever played ‘red rover’? It’s a game where a row of kids hold hands while one runs at them to try to break through. Think of those hands as the junctions between cells. When they get loose, they allow things to get in that should actually be passing right though. Cortisol (produced in excess in chronic stress) is a heavy hitter in a game red rover!
Mess #4 – Sleep Disruption
Stress and sleep go hand-in-hand, like bacon and eggs. People often find it very difficult to get to sleep, or sleep well, when they have very important (and stressful!) things on their mind.
And as we have talked about before, when you don’t get enough sleep, it has an effect on many things like your energy level, memory, ability to think, and mood.
More and more research is showing just how important sleep is for your health. Not enough sleep (and too much stress) aren’t doing your health and well being any favours.
Stress-busting tips
Reducing stressors in your life is an obvious first step.
Can you:
- Put less pressure on yourself?
- Ask others for help?
- Say “no”?
- Delegate to someone else?
- Finally, make that decision?
It’s not realistic that you will eliminate stress altogether, no matter how hard you try, but there are things you can try to help reduce its effect on you such as:
- Deep breathing
- Meditation
- Walk in nature
- Unplug (read a book, take a bath)
- Colouring
- Exercise (yoga, tai chi, etc.)
- Connect with loved ones
Conclusion
Stress is a huge and often underappreciated factor in our health. It can have an impact on your body much more than you might realise.
Stress has been shown to increase the risk for heart disease and diabetes, affect your immune system, digestion and sleep.
There are things you can do to help reduce stressors and also improve your response to it.
You CAN get rid of that stress mess!
Relaxing Chamomile Peach Iced Tea Recipe
Serves 1
1 cup steeped chamomile tea, cooled
1 peach, diced
Place both ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth. Add ice if desired.
Serve & enjoy!
Tip: You can use fresh or frozen peaches.
References:
https://nccih.nih.gov/health/stress
https://www.thepaleomom.com/stress-undermines-health/