Therapy Can Help

Ongoing stress can take a toll not only on your mental and emotional state, but physically as well.  Stress is considered a psychological condition, but when this is a chronic state, it can have a negative impact on your entire body.  This can include resulting musculoskeletal problems from having your body held in a constant state of tension, to a negative effect on your respiratory, cardiovascular, and even reproductive health.  While our bodies and minds are designed to withstand some stress in small doses, long-term or chronic stress can have a serious effect on your body and mind.

The Neurological Toll of Chronic Stress

A continued state of high stress for a long period of time can have a negative effect on your brain.  Chronic stress has been shown to shrink the areas of the brain associated with emotions, metabolism, and memory.  This can lead to cognitive impairment, anxiety, and depression.  It can also exacerbate symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease and traumatic brain injuries.  Chronic stress can cause elevated cortisol levels.  This can interfere with the brain’s hippocampus.  This is the part of the brain involved in memory, learning, and emotion.

Physical Effects of Long-Term Stress

Your brain and emotions aren’t the only thing affected by long-term stress.  Your body will likely feel the effects of this tension, causing physical pain and discomfort.  The effect of stress on your brain can affect your endocrine system, as your cortisol levels increase.  This can lower your immune system, putting you at greater risk of getting sick and causing inflammation in the body.  Another area of the body that is particularly susceptible to stress is the gastrointestinal system.  Stress is often associated with changes in gut bacteria as your body reacts to this condition.  This can cause symptoms ranging from heartburn and nausea to stomach discomfort and vomiting.

Directly tied to the brain, your nervous system is another area that can be greatly impacted by stress.  The adrenal glands release adrenalin and cortisol in response to stress.  This is what causes your heart to beat faster, respiration to increase, and blood vessels in your arms and legs to dilate.  Stress can also affect glucose levels in the bloodstream, as your body prepares for a fight or flight response.

Managing Stress Effectively Through Therapy

Many people don’t realize the physical toll that stress can have on your entire body.  The physical and mental symptoms that go along with this long-term stress can exacerbate the problem.  Finding ways to manage your stress is critical to your mental and physical well-being.  Therapy is one of the most effective ways to manage your chronic stress, giving you both emotional and physical relief from this burden.  By talking with a trained therapist and developing a toolkit for managing stress, you can find relief from these symptoms.

If you find that you are experiencing chronic stress that has become unmanageable, seek out a trained therapist that can help you to control these feelings and find long-term relief.