"When you experience stress, your body activates its fight-or-flight response. Hormones like cortisol and adrenaline are released to help you respond to a perceived threat. In short bursts, this response is adaptive-it sharpens focus and boosts energy. The problem arises when stress is constant. Your body remains in a heightened state of alert, and systems that are meant to recover never get the chance to reset."
"One of the first areas stress affects is the cardiovascular system. Chronic stress can elevate heart rate and blood pressure, which places additional strain on the heart and blood vessels. Over time, this can contribute to hypertension, inflammation, and an increased risk of heart disease and stroke. Stress-related behaviors, such as poor sleep, reduced exercise, or emotional eating, can further exacerbate these risks."
People often prioritize physical health while overlooking mental health, yet the brain controls bodily function and mental wellbeing warrants equal attention. Chronic stress activates the fight-or-flight response, releasing cortisol and adrenaline; short bursts are adaptive but persistent activation keeps the body in a heightened state and prevents recovery. Chronic stress raises heart rate and blood pressure, contributing to hypertension, inflammation, and higher risk of heart disease and stroke. Stress disrupts digestion, causing stomachaches, nausea, acid reflux, appetite changes, altered gut microbiota, irritable bowel symptoms, and impaired nutrient absorption. Stress-related behaviors such as poor sleep, reduced exercise, and emotional eating further worsen health outcomes.
Read at Psychology Today
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