How does stress affect your body and mind?
Stress is a natural reaction to change – in fact, it’s what helps you to adjust rapidly to new situations and deal with challenges. However, too much stress over a sustained period of time can take its toll on your mental and physical well-being. Below are some of the most common effects of stress on the body and mind.
Physical Effects
Low energy
Stress can make you feel exhausted, although you may still find it hard to relax.
Nausea, dizziness and headaches
These symptoms may be confused with those of another illness, but they can stem from stress.
Rapid heartbeat and increased blood pressure
This is one of the most common effects of stress, and can have serious implications for your health.
Sweating and/or shaking
This often signifies that your nervous system is overstretched.
Loss of sex drive
Stress can lead to a reduced interest in or ability to perform sex.
Frequent infections
Stress can reduce the body’s ability to resist disease, leading you to get coughs and colds more often.
Aches and pains
Muscle tension and aching joints can be caused by stress.
Stomach upset
Stress can also lead to constipation or diarrhoea.
Mental Effects
Inability to focus
Although stress is supposed to help us concentrate in tight situations, over time it can have the opposite effect.
Insomnia
Trouble sleeping is a common effect of stress, although some sufferers find themselves oversleeping.
Bad moods and frustration
When you are stressed, you may get frustrated and annoyed more easily than usual.
Feeling lonely or isolated
It can be difficult to relate to others when you’re stressed, especially if they don’t seem to have the same problems as you.
Difficulty relaxing
Stressed people often find it hard to switch off and may stop taking pleasure in things they used to enjoy.
Increased dependence on alcohol, tobacco or drugs
This is often a coping mechanism, but stimulants and depressants won’t help you to relax properly – they will probably make things worse.
Feeling apathetic or depressed
Many of the symptoms of stress are similar to those of depression, and stress can lead to depression over time.
Avoiding social situations
You may begin feeling anxious around groups of people, even if you are usually a sociable person.
Worrying more
Stress can cause you to start worrying more about things such as your health, family and job, which can in turn increase your stress levels.
Nervous habits
Some people find they develop habits such as pacing or losing control of their voice when they are stressed.
Related Articles
Primary causes of stress
Many different things can cause stress, but some of the most common sources are work, relationships, finances, health and family.
What is stress?
Consciously or not, chances are that you’ve experienced the sensation of stress.
How to spot stress
The nature of stress means that it will affect different people in different ways. Similarly, what might be a cause of stress for one person may be an energising challenge for the other.