Long Term Effects of Stress

As opposed to long term effects, small doses of worry or stress are inevitable in life. Events change so much, the occasional stressor might be right around the corner. But in such small bits, and if you know how to handle them, you should not have any major problems. Having stress that hangs around you for long periods of time is an entirely different manner. Long term effects of stress can begin to overload your body and mentality, leading to physical and mental troubles.

Normally stress responses within our bodies are meant to assist in dealing with whatever may be stressing us. Your body and nervous system is doing what it can to defend you from the physical or emotional threat facing you. The problem with today’s stressors is that they do not go away after a split second decision to fight or fly as our body tells us. Long terms effects of stress can be from numerous things , such as family problems, a job, or a terminal illness. They tend to be more psychological than physical as they were thousands of years ago.

Because the stressor is ongoing, so is the response our body produces. Being in a constant state of fight or flight with specific hormones racing through us can start to mess with regular functions. Heart rates increase, blood pressure increases, and through these feelings we can become fatigued, our immune system can weaken which can lead to getting sick easier, can stifle a woman’s ability to conceive, and can stunt growth in children. Stress can also be an aide in the development of high blood pressure and increase the risk of heart attacks.

If you notice yourself stressing for much longer than you know you should, seek help if necessary and stop your stress before the long term effects takes their toll.