We usually face many daily troubles, work issues, and social challenges, which make us feel stressed and experience psychological pressure.

This undoubtedly affects our health, as prolonged feelings of stress and discomfort are linked to various health problems.

How Chronic Stress Affects Your health?

In addition to being negative and unpleasant emotions, long-term stress can also lead to physical illnesses and more serious health issues. The following points highlight the key health effects of psychological stress. (1)(2)

1. Impact on overall health: Psychological stress affects overall health and can cause headaches, fatigue, and exhaustion. It can also weaken the immune system, making us more susceptible to infections such as the flu and common cold.

2. Increased risk of chronic diseases: Chronic stress increases the risk of developing several chronic conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, heart and vascular diseases, including high blood pressure and heart rhythm disorders.

3. Impact on bones and muscles: Psychological stress can cause a feeling of tightness and pain in the muscles, as well as bone pain, especially in the shoulder, neck, or back area.

4. Impact on sleep: Sometimes, a person experiencing psychological stress may have difficulty sleeping or struggle to get quality rest. In other cases, the opposite can occur, where the person sleeps for longer hours than usual.

5. Impact on the digestive system: Psychological stress is also linked to digestive health, as it can cause stomach disturbances, nausea, diarrhea, or constipation.

6. Impact on the skin and hair: Chronic stress can increase risk of developing acne, hair loss, and trigger flare-ups of conditions like eczema, psoriasis, and others.(3)

7. Impact on mental health and behavior: Negative behaviors can emerge in someone experiencing psychological stress, including irritability, aggression, and anger. It is also likely to affect mental and emotional health, leading to issues such as insomnia, difficulty sleeping, problems with concentration, and memory problems. Additionally, there may be a constant sense of anxiety and confusion, along with an increased risk of depression.(2)

8. Impact on appetite and weight: Some people gain weight due to emotional eating, while others may lose weight due to a loss of appetite caused by stress. (4)

9. Impact on the reproductive system: Chronic stress can cause irregular menstrual cycles in women and may also make period pain worse. In men, it can lead to erectile dysfunction and may also reduce sexual desire in both genders. (2)

How to overcome psychological stress

To prevent psychological stress from affecting your health and life, it's important to follow the tips below to minimize the negative impact of the stress.

1. Identifying and addressing the cause of stress, whether it’s due to a problem at work, a family dispute, or something else.
2. Building strong and supportive social relationships among family members and friends.
3. Increasing physical activity and exercising as part of a healthy lifestyle.
4. Following a healthy and balanced diet while reducing caffeine intake.
5. Reducing TV watching and mobile phone usage.
6. Learning relaxation techniques such as yoga, breathing exercises, and meditation.
7. Getting occasional massage sessions for relaxation.
8. Getting enough hours of restful sleep every day.
9. Journaling, as it helps reduce stress and allows for a more positive perspective on things.
10. Spending more time in nature and green spaces.
11. Having a pet and spending quality time with it, as it helps reduce stress and improve mood.
12. Spending more time engaging in hobbies and enjoyable activities, such as reading books or listening to music.
13. Prioritizing tasks and completing daily activities according to a schedule, while avoiding procrastination.
14. Consulting a specialist or therapist and seeking their help in managing stress when needed.

Let us help you restore balance and manage stress before it impacts your health. Reach out to our mental health professionals and take the first step toward achieving peace of mind.

References

1. Webmd - Stress Symptoms: Physical Effects of Stress on the Body
2. American Psychological Association - Stress effects on the body
3. American Academy of Dermatology - Feeling stressed? It can show in your skin, hair, and nails
4. Harvard Health - How stress affects your body