STRESS EFFECTS - The American Institute of Stress (2024)

Stress is a natural physical and mental reaction to life experiences — everyone experiences it. Anything from everyday responsibilities like feeding your family to more serious life events like a car accident can trigger stress. In immediate, short-term situations, stress can benefit your health. It can help you cope with potentially serious situations.

Your body responds to stress by releasing hormones that increase your heart and breathing rates and ready your muscles to respond; however, if this response continues longer than necessary for survival, it can take a toll on your health.

Chronic stress can cause even more symptoms affecting your overall well-being, such as irritability, anxiety, depression, headaches, or insomnia.

Your central nervous system (CNS) controls your “fight or flight” response: In your brain, the hypothalamus tells your adrenal glands to release the stress hormones adrenaline and cortisol. They rev up your heartbeat and rush blood to the areas that need it most in a crisis (muscles, heart, etc.).

When the perceived fear is gone, the hypothalamus should tell all systems to return to normal. If the CNS fails to normalize or the stressor remains, then the response continues.

Stress hormones affect your respiratory and cardiovascular systems. During the stress response, you breathe faster to quickly distribute oxygen-rich blood to your body. If you already have a breathing problem like asthma or emphysema, stress can make it even harder to breathe.

Under stress, your heart also pumps faster. Stress hormones cause your blood vessels to constrict and divert more oxygen to your muscles, so you’ll have more strength to take action. But this also raises your blood pressure.

Frequent or chronic stress can cause high blood pressure, which causes your heart to work harder. When the heart works too hard for too long, you are at increased risk for heart attack and stroke.

Under stress, your liver produces extra blood sugar to give you more energy. If you’re under chronic stress, your body may not be able to keep up with this surge. Chronic stress may increase your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

The rush of hormones, rapid breathing, and increased heart rate can also upset your digestive system. An increase in stomach acid may produce heartburn or acid reflux. Stress doesn’t cause ulcers, but it can increase your risk for them and cause existing ulcers to act up.

Stress can also affect the way food moves through your body, leading to diarrhea or constipation. You might also experience nausea, vomiting, or a stomachache.

Stress is exhausting for both the body and mind. It’s not unusual to lose your desire when you’re under constant stress. While short-term stress may cause men to produce more of the male hormone testosterone, this effect doesn’t last.

If stress continues for a long time, a man’s testosterone levels can begin to drop. This can interfere with sperm production and cause erectile dysfunction or impotence. Chronic stress may also increase risk of infection for male reproductive organs like the prostate and testes.

For women, stress can affect the menstrual cycle. It can lead to irregular, heavier, or more painful periods. Chronic stress can also magnify the physical symptoms of menopause.

1. Frequent headaches, jaw clenching, or pain
2. Gritting or grinding teeth
3. Stuttering or stammering
4. Tremors or trembling of lips/hands
5. Neck ache, back pain, muscle spasms
6. Light headedness, faintness, dizziness
7. Ringing, buzzing or popping sounds
8. Frequent blushing or sweating
9. Cold or sweaty hands and feet
10. Dry mouth, problems swallowing
11. Frequent colds, infections, herpes sores
12. Rashes, itching, hives, goose bumps
13. Unexplained or frequent allergy attacks
14. Heartburn, stomach pain, nausea
15. Excess belching, flatulence
16. Constipation, diarrhea, loss of control
17. Difficulty breathing, frequent sighing
18. Sudden attacks of life- threatening panic
19. Chest pain, palpitations, rapid pulse
20. Frequent urination
21. Diminished sexual desire or performance
22. Excess anxiety, worry, guilt, nervousness
23. Increased anger, frustration, hostility
24. Depression, frequent or wild mood swings
25. Increased or decreased appetite
26. Insomnia, nightmares, disturbing dreams
27. Difficulty concentrating, racing thoughts
28. Trouble learning new information
29. Forgetfulness, disorganization, confusion
30. Difficulty in making decisions
31. Feeling overloaded or overwhelmed
32. Frequent crying spells or suicidal thoughts
33. Feelings of loneliness or worthlessness
34. Little interest in appearance, punctuality
35. Nervous habits, fidgeting, feet tapping
36. Increased frustration, irritability, edginess
37. Overreaction to petty annoyances
38. Increased number of minor accidents
39. Obsessive or compulsive behavior
40. Reduced work efficiency or productivity
41. Lies or excuses to cover up poor work
42. Rapid or mumbled speech
43. Excessive defensiveness or suspiciousness
44. Problems in communication or sharing
45. Social withdrawal and isolation
46. Constant fatigue and weakness
47. Frequent use of nonprescription drugs
48. Weight gain or loss without diet
49. Increased smoking or drug/alcohol use
50. Excessive gambling or impulse buying