• Video sessions now available

    Celebrating 11 Years of Service!


  • Schedule Your Appointment Now

    Call or Email us Today!
    intake@thewellcounselinggroup.com
    317-471-8996


    Emotional Checkup
  • The Well Counseling & Consulting

    • Home
    • Meet Our Counselors
      • Yameen Chestnut
      • Adriaka Tina Jackson
      • Dr. Denita Hudson
      • Quamina Carter
      • Angela L Reese
      • Elizabeth White
      • Dr. Natalie Zolicoffer
      • LaDonna Wattley
      • Dr. Denise Hayes
      • Brittany Baker
      • Dachele Dycus
      • The Well Counseling Group
    • Our Consultants
      • Calvalyn Day
      • Reginald White
      • Elizabeth White
    • Resources
      • Drag’em Kicking and Screaming book
      • The Anxious Soul Book
    • Counseling Blog
    • In The News
    • Careers
    • Contact

    Stress’s Physiological Impact on the Body

    August 29, 2022

    The old saying goes, “Into every life a little rain must fall.” Stress is like rain. A little of it can be a good thing. But too much can cause havoc and devastation.

    Our bodies are designed to handle a little bit of acute or sudden stress. But when stress is prolonged or becomes chronic, it can have devastating consequences to our health.

    Here are just some of the ways stress can negatively impact your body:

    Respiratory Issues

    Prolonged stress can lead to respiratory issues such as shortness of breath. Individuals who do not have an underlying respiratory disease may not be very impacted. But for those with pre-existing conditions such as COPD and asthma, stress can dangerously exacerbate the situation.

    Heart Health

    When we’re stressed we are in fight or flight mode. This causes our heart to beat faster and our blood vessels to dilate. In short-term scenarios, these physical manifestations help get us out of danger.

    But for prolonged periods, this can put a lot of stress on our heart and blood vessels, potentially leading to a heart attack or stroke.

    Gut Health

    Did you know that 80% of your immune system is located in your gut? It’s incredibly important to ensure your gut is healthy!

    But chronic stress can wreak havoc on your gut as it changes the beneficial gut bacteria. And a change in this bacteria can negatively impact your mood. And when you’re already feeling stressed, the last thing you need is to also feel depressed.

    Sexual Health

    Both the male and female reproductive systems are influenced by the nervous system. When we are stressed, our sexual hormones can get out of balance and we can lose sexual desire. Men may find it hard to achieve and maintain an erection. Stress can also make it hard to conceive and affect a woman’s menstrual cycle.

    As you can see, stress can really impact your physical health in a negative way. While we can’t stop the rain from falling or stress from entering our lives, we can practice healthy stress management. That means eating right, getting enough exercise, and quality sleep each night.

    SOURCES:

    • https://www.apa.org/topics/stress/body
    • https://www.stress.org/the-effects-of-stress-on-your-body
    • https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress-symptoms/art-20050987
    • Author
    • Recent Posts
    Elizabeth White
    Latest posts by Elizabeth White (see all)
    • Why Therapy for Caretakers is More Important Than Ever - February 9, 2023
    • Signs you Need to Take a Mental Health Day - February 7, 2023
    • The Traumatic Impact of Divorce on Adult Children - December 1, 2022

    Share this:

    • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
    • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)

    Related

    Share on Facebook Share
    Share on TwitterTweet
    Share on Pinterest Share
    Share on LinkedIn Share
    Share on Digg Share
    Send email Mail

    Filed Under: Anxiety, stress

    Blog Categories

    The Well Counseling & Consulting Group

    The Pyramids
    Pyramid 1, 5th Floor
    3500 DePauw Blvd.
    Suite 1050
    Indianapolis, IN 46268

    317-471-8996
    intake@thewellcounselinggroup.com

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Twitter


    Elizabeth White, MA, LMHC, LCAC verified by GoodTherapy.org

    Contact Us Today

    By submitting this form via this web portal, you acknowledge and accept the risks of communicating your health information via this unencrypted email and electronic messaging and wish to continue despite those risks. By clicking "Yes, I want to submit this form" you agree to hold Brighter Vision harmless for unauthorized use, disclosure, or access of your protected health information sent via this electronic means.
    The Well Counseling & Consulting Group
    intake@thewellcounselinggroup.com | 317-471-8996
    A Website by Brighter Vision | Privacy Policy