People know alcohol and smoking can affect their health, but most are not as familiar with the consequences of chronic stress. For many of us, stress is the reality of everyday life . It’s also a hidden offender when it comes to negatively affecting our long-term health if it’s not managed appropriately.
We talk openly about how lifestyle behaviours such as alcohol or smoking can affect our health, but chronic stress causes its own set of problems. When you’re stressed, an evolutionary response occurs in your body. Protective features are switched on by your sympathetic nervous system (your “fight or flight” response) and your body releases hormones like cortisol and adrenalin.
Some stress is normal, but when it’s prolonged it’s problematic for your health. At the time of the stressor, you may feel overwhelmed and irritable or have chest tightness. If stress persists over a long period, you may silently develop high blood pressure, putting you at higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease, having a heart attack or stroke.
.