What Happens Within When You're Stressed Out

Since April is designated as , I thought I would focus today’s topic on what exactly stress is and what it does to our bodies.

Stress is your body’s response to various types of demands. When we start to feel stress, chemicals release into our bloodstream which allow us to have more energy and strength. This can be a good thing if you feel you are under some kind of physical attack, like the neighbor's dogs suddenly chasing you down the street.  

There are different types of stress, and our body responds based on the situations. Survival stress is when we feel our physical body is in danger and we activate our “fight or flight” response. There is also environmental stress, which is our response to our surroundings—loud noises, crowded streets and our living situation. Next is internal or emotional stress. This type of stress is associated with our reaction to various life situations, such as our finances, job and personal relationships. Finally, there is fatigue or overuse stress. When we experience this type of stress, our body and mind are overloaded to the point of fatigue.

Too much or constant stress can have a negative impact on your health and your body. Our bodies are designed to handle stressful situations and then be able to return to a state of relaxation. However, our fast-paced lifestyle can lead people to be in an almost constant state of stress. The result is an increased amount of cortisol in our body.

Cortisol is a hormone that is natural in our body and is secreted by the adrenal gland. It is a necessary component to the regulation of our metabolism, blood pressure, immune system, inflammatory response, and it is secreted during our fight or flight stress response.

If we are in a constant state of stress, the following can be negative side effects of an abnormal amount of cortisol:

• Slower cognitive functioning.
• Suppressed thyroid function.
• Blood sugar imbalance.
• Higher blood pressure.
• Increased abdominal fat.

The key to stress is to manage it properly. If you have a stressful job or experience a lot of pressure situations in your daily life, be sure to develop the techniques necessary to allow your body to return to its normal state.

One of the best ways to cope with stress and rid the body of excess cortisol is to exercise daily, drink plenty of water and get a full night of sleep. Exercise also helps the body work through any tension or tightness so it is able to return to a state of relaxation and normal breathing. Be sure to include a when you are done exercising.