Stress & the Body

Stress can affect your physical health, and your thoughts and behaviour. Explore how stress effects certain areas of the body.

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Brain

As the fight or flight response becomes activated forgetfulness, difficulty concentrating and decreased short-term memory function can occur.

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Heart

Heart rate increases and blood pressure rises to pump the blood around the body.

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Lungs

Shortness of breath and rapid breathing occurs as the airway between the nose and the lungs constricts. If this rapid breathing continues (hyperventilation) it can bring on a panic attack.

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Neck & Shoulders

Neck and shoulders may become tense and can lead to pain and headache.

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Hip Pocket Nerve

Gambling is often a coping mechanism for stress or low mood.

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Hands

Tingling and pin and needles hands can often occur due to hypocalcemia (low calcium).

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Reproductive System

Stress effects the reproductive system for both men and women through a lower sex drive, erectile dysfunction in men and changes in menstrual cycles for women.

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Joints & Muscles

Tense muscles can lead to aches and pains including tension headaches, backaches and tight shoulders.

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Teeth

Clenching and grinding of teeth can wear tooth surfaces down.

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Face

Sweating increases as body temperature. Skin can feel damp and clammy. Pimples and acne can become worse.

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Immune System

Higher risk of illness as the stress hormone corticosteroid can suppress the effectiveness of the immune system.

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Digestive System

Stress can interrupt the normal functions of the gut, causing the digestive tract to spasm, leading to pain, either diarrhea or constipation.

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Liver

Stress causes your liver to release extra sugar (glucose) into your bloodstream. Stress may make you feel like consuming alcohol.

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Skin

Your body temperature rises, prompting your sweat glands to kick in and feel damp and clammy.

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Stress can damage almost every organ in your body. Stress is when we feel we need to do more than we can cope doing. The point where things become stressful varies for everyone. The challenge is to know yourself and your own level of positive stress, so that you can maintain a perspective and lifestyle that will enable you to stay within a comfortable zone.

Fast Facts

  1. Stress is when you have to do more than you feel you can cope with.
  2. Try to be organized and plan ahead.
  3. Focus on the good things in your life.
  4. Have a cup of tea. It gives you a chance to rethink, laugh, and relax.
  5. Seek professional help if you feel you are not coping.