How Stress Affects the Body: Tips on how to De-stress
by Megan MacNeil
Have you been feeling overwhelmed, fatigued, or burnt out? These may be signs that you are stressed out.
Stress could be caused by several things including injuries, work, personal or family issues or the stress of an upcoming holiday. We all get stressed from time to time and it affects both our mental and physical selves.
When the body is stressed it releases different hormones throughout the body: cortisol, adrenaline, and noradrenaline. These hormones send signals to other parts of the body that result in certain reactions or side effects from the stress your body is experiencing. Increased levels of stress hormones can lead to a weakened immune system, increased likelihood of injury, and poor mental health.
Stress has a tremendous impact on individuals' mental health and mental function. Increased stress can lower an individual's happy hormones, such as dopamine or serotonin, which increases anxiety, depression, mood swings, and fatigue. The longer stress is present the more it will impede your body's function making it harder to de-stress.
With Covid-19 still playing a role in our current “normal,” your stress levels around staying healthy and avoiding getting sick can actually increase your chances of becoming ill. Prolonged periods of stress can cause the body's immune system to slowly break down, which leads to less protection and an increased chance of illness.
Tips on how to De-stress
Get fresh air (could be a little as 5 minutes outside)
Exercise
Journaling
Making time for family, friends, social events
Self-care (making time for you)
Sleep (lack of sleep increases stress)
Stretching/Yoga
Your favourite hobbies (cooking, painting, knitting, golfing, etc.)
Stress is a normal part of being human. We cannot prevent our mind and body from getting stressed in many cases, but that is not all bad. Stress can act as a defence mechanism, quicken your response times, and increase your memories and motivation.
Managing long-term and chronic stress is a top priority for promoting a healthy mind and body, which may include osteopathy and massage or physical therapy.
If you have any questions feel free to contact us through our contact form or via phone at (902) 406 7200.
References
American Psychological Association. (n.d.). Stress effects on the body. American Psychological Association. Retrieved November 9, 2021, from https://www.apa.org/topics/stress/body.
American Psychological Association. (n.d.). Stress weakens the immune system. American Psychological Association. Retrieved November 9, 2021, from https://www.apa.org/research/action/immune.
Doughty, B. (2021, July 12). Coping: Stress and mental health. MQ Mental Health Research. Retrieved November 9, 2021, from https://www.mqmentalhealth.org/stress-and-mental-health/.
Mariotti, A. (2015, November 1). The effects of chronic stress on Health: New Insights Into the molecular mechanisms of brain-body communication. Future science OA. Retrieved November 9, 2021, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5137920/.
[Person meditating]. (n.d). https://www.corporatewellnessmagazine.com/article/out-of-the-office-15-ways-to-destress-after-work
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). 5 things you should know about stress. National Institute of Mental Health. Retrieved November 9, 2021, from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/stress.