How Can Stress Affect Your Body, Physically
Dr. Joanne Frederick
Stress is a natural response to challenging situations, but chronic stress can seriously impact your physical health. Understanding how stress affects the body is key to managing its harmful effects.
The Body’s Stress Response Stress activates the “fight, flight, or freeze” response, releasing hormones like adrenaline and cortisol. While this prepares the body to handle immediate threats, prolonged stress can harm health over time. Cardiovascular System Stress increases heart rate and blood pressure, which can lead to heart disease. Chronic stress can damage blood vessels, raising the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Immune System Chronic stress weakens the immune system, making the body vulnerable to infections and slowing recovery from illness. High cortisol levels impair the function of white blood cells, which protect against disease. Digestive System Stress redirects blood flow away from the digestive organs, leading to problems like indigestion, bloating, and acid reflux. It can also cause appetite changes, resulting in unhealthy weight gain or loss.
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