How Does Stress Affect Me?

Positive Effects of Stress

When stress is managed and resolved quickly it can have some positive effects on the body, including:

  • Memory & Thinking/Cognition: stress can help you concentrate on a problem/situation which can help improve your ability to problem solve and remember the situation for future instances. 
  • Immune System: stress can provoke an inflammatory response, and during the short term this can help your body fight infections as the body is on alert. 
  • Heart Health: stress in short durations can decrease blood pressure, lower cholesterol levels, and improve blood clotting. 

Negative Effects of Stress

Unfortunately, when stress is left unmanaged and moves into the chronic stage of stress, the entire body can be negatively affected, including:

  • Headaches
  • Heartburn
  • Rapid breathing
  • Increased depression
  • Insomnia
  • Weakened immune system
  • Risk of heart attack
  • Pounding heart
  • High blood sugar
  • High blood pressure
  • Stomachache
  • Tense muscles
Photo retrieved from: https://www.stress.org/daily-life


References:

University of Maryland Medical System. (2023). How does stress affect the immune system? https://health.umms.org/2020/11/10/stress-immune-system/#:~:text=Stress%20and%20Immune%20System%20Function&text=A%20review%20of%20studies%20in,temporarily%20beneficial%20for%20fighting%20germs.

Yaribeygi, H., Panahi, Y., Sahraei, H., Johnston, T. P., & Sahebkar, A. (2017). The impact of stress on body function: A review. EXCLI Journal, 16, 1057–1072. https://doi.org/10.17179/excli2017-480 



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