Sometimes life stressor can make us feel like we are drowning in overwhelm. Our bodies are programmed to handle stress in small doses. However, being exposed to chronic or long-term stress can have negative implications on our body and our minds.

When our body is stressed, it releases a hormone commonly referred to as cortisol. This hormone is released to help our bodies mitigate stressful situations. However, when our body is in a constant state of stress (therefore, consistently releasing the cortisol hormone) it can impact the systems in our body in the following ways:

1. Musculoskeletal System: chronic muscle tension and headaches/migraines due to chronic muscle tension in your back, shoulders, and neck

2. Respiratory System: shortness of breath and rapid breathing, as well as asthma attacks and hyperventilation if you have a pre-existing respiratory disease (i.e., asthma, COPD, etc.)

3. Cardiovascular System: long-term problems for heart and blood vessels, heart attack, hypertension, stroke, inflammation in the circulatory system (coronary arteries) and cholesterol levels

4. Endocrine System: chronic fatigue, metabolic disorders (e.g., diabetes, obesity), depression, and immune disorder

5. Gastrointestinal system: pain, bloating, mood, esophagus (heartburn, acid reflux, bloating), stomach (bloating, nausea), bowel (IBS, bloating, discomfort)

6. Nervous System: constant fight or flight response

7. Reproductive System: sexual desire, reproduction, menstruation, pregnancy, etc.

When we are experiencing chronic stress, our bodies enter into fight or flight, which can be draining on our mind and bodies. The mental impact of chronic stress is as follows:

1. Anxiety

2. Depression

3. Difficulty Sleeping

4. Problems with Memory and Concentration

5. Irritability

6. Rapid Changes in Mood

Learning to cope and manage with all the stressors can be difficult. Below are a few coping tools that may helpful to try at home:

• Relaxation Techniques

• Mindfulness

• Deep Breathing

• Exercise / Body Movement

• Sleep / Rest

• Healthy Support Networks

• Seek Support from a Trusted Professional

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

• Cold Water Exposure 

• Vagus Nerve Stimulation Therapy

Sometimes identifying and/or coping with life stressors can be difficult to go through on our own. If you are looking for extra support, please don’t hesitate to reach out to one of our professionals today to see how we can best support you!

Information Retrieved from:

https://www.apa.org/topics/stress/body

https://www.healthcentral.com/mental-health/cortisol

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8584322/#:~:text=Initially%2C%20excessive%20levels%20of%20cortisol,%2C%20emotional%20lability%2C%20and%20depression.