Today we live in a world that is so fast paced that sometimes, we end up being at the wrong end of this fast paced life. Modernisation has led to such a fast paced life that there is no time to stop and smell the flowers. You go to work-at work you have targets to achieve, meetings (sometimes unnecessary meetings) with your boss, minor confrontations with colleagues etc. At the end of your shift, you just want to go home and plonk yourself on that couch at home but on your way home, there is this massive traffic jam or if you take the subway, the subway stops in the middle of nowhere due to some technical issues. You finally reach home and you have unexpected visitors whom you may or may not like, so there goes your dream to plonk yourself in the couch.
All the above situations are like ticking time bombs inside your head. They are the reasons for that thing called “STRESS” which is driving you nuts and doing all sorts of stuff with your immune system that you probably hadn’t realised. Read this article to know more about what stress is doing to your health:
1. Headaches
It is said that stressful situations are the most likely cause of headaches. Tension headaches-one of the most prevalent types of headaches-is caused when you are in an over stressful situation. It can cause pain of all levels on your head, neck, forehead and eyes. These can be temporarily cured with the help of medication but for a permanent cure, you need to identify what is stressing you out.
2. Digestive issues
In times of stress, the brain is flooded with hormones which create havoc on your digestive system. Experts say that there is a strong connection between the brain and the digestive system, which is why stress can cause many digestive issues. People who are constantly in stressful situations develop problems such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). If you run too the bathroom too often or not at all, then you may need to take a moment and analyse if there is something that is causing you too much stress.
3. Constant colds and infections
Heart rate and blood pressure increases and the circulatory system is affected when you are extremely stressed. Because of this, the immune system is smothered, which makes it more likely for your body to catch colds and infections. The weakening of the immune system signifies that it will find it impossible to neutralise any bacteria that can cause illness.
Comfort eating is what we all indulge in when we feel stressed. But comfort eating can also lead to weight gain. A common response to stress is people distracting themselves by eating junk food which of course is quite tasty but does not do anything good for your body. Sudden unexplained weight gain or weight loss can be signs of stress.
5. Stomach problems
As mentioned earlier, stress can disrupt your digestive system and now it can also wreak havoc with your stomach. Issues like nausea, cramps, indigestion and stomach aches could also be attributed to stressful situations.
6. Exhaustion
Are you constantly tired and drained out? Have you slept 8 hours straight but when you wake up, you feel you haven’t slept at all? Well, it is stress which is increasing the levels of tension and pressure in your body, leading to fatigue as well as mental and physical weariness.
7. Chest pain/tremors
Stress and anxiety go hand in hand. Stress leads to anxiety and anxiety in turn leads to more stress. Such a vicious mental cycle right? This vicious cycle leads to chest pain and tightness in the chest area. And we all know that chest pain is one of the most frightening pains that exists, the very thought of which leads to more stress.
According to research, stress even forms blood clots, which causes heart diseases.
8. Lack of sex drive
Stress can also affect your sex life. When you are stressed, stress chemicals overpower those chemicals in our brain which increases our desire for sex. Chronic stress leads to ovulation issues and fertility and sperm count problems.