Considered by many as the “disease of modern times“, stress is a term generally used with a negative connotation (we feel stressed by various actions/people). However, there is also positive stress – eustress – which helps us to go beyond our limits, to look for new ways of solving problems, in other words to evolve.
In this article we will look at the stress that affects our bodies, contributing to the onset or accelerated development of various diseases. We generally feel stressed when our ability to manage a situation is exceeded, and stressors are everywhere: at work, in relationships with couples, children or extended family, in society, stress due to money or health problems.
Over time, each of us has developed different strategies to cope with stressful situations, some of them adapted (meditation or sports), others that only aggravate the effects on the body (overeating on an emotional background, shopping – see also the women’s backpack offer). We have already discussed the best strategies for dealing with stress in the article Effective techniques for eliminating stress from the body.
The negative effects of stress
The effects of stress are different depending on the resilience of each individual, but some problems affect us all the same:
- Digestive problems. Problems caused by stress on the digestive system include constipation, oesophageal reflux, ulcers, gastritis, Cohn’s disease and irritable bowel syndrome.
- Cardiovascular problems. In the long term, stress can lead to heart disease, cholesterol, arrhythmias, hypertension and strokes.
- Psychological problems: People who experience high levels of stress can develop anxiety, depression, and have their relationships affected by different behaviour.
- Low immunity. Immunity suffers a lot from stress, stressed people get colds more easily, heal more slowly, develop various allergies.
How can you tell if you are overstressed?
It is important to know early on what the symptoms of stress are so that you can take action as soon as possible.
Signs of stress include:
- Excessive sweating
- Cold hands and feet
- Digestive problems
- Muscle spasms or tingling in the muscles
- Increased pulse
- Nervous tics: red nails, hair pulling
- Impulsiveness, impulsiveness and hostility
- Headaches
- Low libido
- Feelings of anxiety, panic, feeling overwhelmed and hopeless
- Difficulty concentrating or remembering
- Exhaustion or lethargy, both physical and mental
- Problems sleeping
The above list is not exhaustive, there are other signs that indicate the presence of excessive stress, each of us is well advised to self-assess and monitor our body. Stress and burn-out syndrome are common in recent years and lead to serious problems both personally and in society.
Look inside yourself and take action to cope with stressful situations, even the smallest steps are important on the road to healing, they contribute to a chain reaction of positive events.
