Why Stress is Bad?

Some level of stress is normal. We are designed to use stress as a means to react to life-threatening situations, and our sympathetic nervous system helps our body react to dangerous situations by increasing our heart rate, increasing the rate at which we breathe, and providing adrenaline and the energy to react. However, when stress becomes chronic and poorly managed, it can significantly impact both our physical and mental health.

Stress And Our Physical Health

You have probably heard that excessive chronic stress is linked to certain types of cancers and to high blood pressure. However, stress also can cause our muscles to feel tight, leading to pain. It can alter our immune system, leading us to get sick more easily. Stress can additionally affect the condition of our hair and skin. Excessive stress can also result in gastrointestinal problems, such as stomach pain, diarrhea, or constipation, and it is common for people to undergo tests to determine if they are experiencing a condition such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome or Inflammatory Bowel Disease only to find that by changing their lifestyle to reduce stress, the symptoms reduce. Perhaps one of the most significant ways that stress affects our physical health is when the stress contributes to unhealthy behaviors to try to cope with the stress. This can include overeating or eating food items that are particularly unhealthy, abusing substances, or neglecting hygiene or exercise due to failure to make time for these activities.

Stress And Our Mental Health

When stress becomes excessive and chronic, it can also affect our overall mental health. For example, a person may find less joy in p, previously enjoyable activities a feature of Major Depressive Disorder).  The person may feel anxious often, avoiding social situations, which only further threatens the person’s mental health. If not participating in self-care activities, the individual may regularly feel on edge, and again, as this affects the person’s relationships, his or her mental health can likewise be compromised. When stress impacts sleep, this insomnia can result in both mental and physical health problems.

Conclusion

Therapy can help give clients tools to manage stress. Coping skills and mindfulness activities can be effective. Additionally, setting boundaries and changing thinking patterns associated with obligations and success can help a client reduce stress and find a more satisfying life.