Stress Is Injurious To Human Health

Stress is an inevitable part of life. It can be caused by work deadlines, financial struggles, personal relationships, or global crises, stress affects everyone at some point. Stress has become a defining feature of modern life, affecting people of all ages and backgrounds. It has been said that some stress is a normal and even necessary part of life, but chronic stress can have serious consequences for both mental and physical health. It is often described as the body's response to external pressures, but it is far more complex than just a simple reaction. Stress can spur people to improve their performance, but when it persists for an extended period, it can seriously harm both mental and physical health. Anxiety, depression, heart disease, and impaired immune systems are just a few of the health problems that are associated with chronic stress. 

The body's natural response to a perceived threat or challenge is stress. Stress causes the body to release hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, which set off the fight-or-flight response. By raising heart rate, improving focus, and enhancing energy, these hormones prime the body to react rapidly. This reaction may be helpful in brief spurts, assisting people in managing challenging circumstances. The issue, though, occurs when stress turns into a chronic condition. Social pressures, unstable employment, financial difficulties, and even the steady barrage of bad news can all prolong the activation of our stress response. Burnout, fatigue, and major health issues can occur under stress for an extended period.

Psychological impact 

Stress has a psychological impact on our feelings and actions. Chronic stress over time can exacerbate mental health issues like depression and anxiety disorders. Many people attempt harmful coping mechanisms to deal with stress, such as smoking, overeating, or excessive drinking, which just makes the issue worse. The consequences of long-term stress on heart health are among the most well-established. Stress makes the heart work harder than usual by raising blood pressure and heart rate. 

The continuous stress can eventually result in hypertension, or elevated blood pressure, which raises the risk of heart attacks and strokes, elevated cholesterol because stress can result in poor dietary habits and metabolic imbalances and irregular heart rhythms, which can cause palpitations or more serious cardiac issues.  According to studies, people who lead high-stress lifestyles, such as those who work in demanding occupations or are struggling financially, are much more likely to develop heart disease than others who successfully manage their stress.

The immune system is essential for protecting the body from illnesses and infections. Chronic stress, on the other hand, weakens the immune system, increasing a person's susceptibility to ailments, including recurring colds and infections, slowed wound healing, and an elevated risk of autoimmune diseases, in which the body targets its cells. Additionally, stress impairs the body's capacity to combat life-threatening conditions like cancer. Because of the strong connection between the stomach and the brain, stress can have a major effect on digestive health. A common digestive problem is irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). IBS symptoms, such as bloating, diarrhea, constipation, and stomach pain, can be brought on by or made worse by prolonged stress. 

The link between stress and sleep is complex. High levels of stress can result in chronic fatigue because stress depletes the body's energy stores, leaving people feeling worn out all the time, insomnia, which is the inability to fall or stay asleep, and poor sleep quality, which causes frequent awakenings and restless nights. Stress is exacerbated by sleep deprivation, resulting in a vicious cycle that can harm both mental and physical health. 

 Mental health support is crucial because persistent anxiety, pessimism, and emotional exhaustion can result in panic attacks, depressive and hopeless feelings, a loss of interest in everyday activities, trouble focusing, and memory issues, and in severe cases, prolonged stress can lead to suicidal thoughts. Stress has an impact on how the brain works, especially in the parts that deal with memory and learning. Long-term high cortisol levels can lower cognitive function and short-term memory and increase the risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease in older persons. 

Coping mechanisms 

Although stress cannot be completely eradicated, it can be effectively controlled by adopting coping mechanisms and healthy lifestyle choices. Exercise promotes the release of endorphins and lowers stress hormones, both of which enhance mood and general well-being. Exercises like yoga, strength training, and walking can be especially beneficial. Techniques like progressive muscle relaxation, deep breathing, and meditation can help soothe the nervous system and lower stress levels. A healthy diet full of fruits, vegetables, and lean meats boosts the immune system and aids in mood regulation. Feeling of low energy caused by stress can also be avoided by cutting back on processed meals, sweets, and caffeine.

Stress can be considerably decreased, and general health can be enhanced by keeping a regular sleep pattern and developing a calming nighttime ritual. Discussing stress with loved ones, friends, or a therapist can help people feel better emotionally and create healthy coping mechanisms. Burnout and excessive stress can be avoided by learning to say no, putting self-care first, and establishing reasonable goals. In the end, stress is a problem that affects everyone and calls for awareness, action, and a change in the way we see our jobs, relationships, and day-to-day activities. We can live happier, healthier, and more satisfying lives by managing our stress.

(Dr. Lohani is the executive director at the Health Concern. lohanis@gmail.com)