3 Ways Stress May Be Harming Your Health
We all have a little stress in our lives. It doesn’t matter what stage of life you are in; if you are past the childhood stage, then you are probably riddled with some sort of stress from time to time. For some it’s a lot more than “time to time”, and occurs with much more frequency. Though it is a part of life and can unlikely be completely diminished, it is also really bad for your health. Check out these 3 ways in which stress may be harming your health, followed by what you may be able to do about it.
Weight Gain
A large amount of stress in the body forces the body to make more of the stress hormone, cortisol. This hormone has been directly linked to both cravings and weight gain, especially weight gain around the middle. Then, to add an even larger negative aspect, more weight around the middle has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease. All in all, stress may cause you to be overweight, and then heighten all of the symptoms that comes along with extra weight.
Blood Pressure
Too much stress has also been linked to reports of higher blood pressure. Though this might not sound too terribly bad on the surface, high blood pressure brings with it a whole host of negative symptoms. When blood pressure is high, it means that the heart has to work harder to pump the same amount of blood throughout the body. It can also cause problems in the brain and eyes. It’s actually a pretty big deal. While you can take medicine for high blood pressure, the better course of action is to avoid it altogether, if stress is your cause. it’s worth reducing stress levels.
Insomnia
This is another that may not seem bad on the surface, and for short periods of time, it probably isn’t all that bad. Long term, however, insomnia can cause confusion, an inability to concentrate, headaches, and further contribute to weight gain. That, along with the obvious side effect of less energy, is enough to greatly impact everyday life.
What Can Be Done?
To lower stress levels actually takes a lot of work in the beginning. Once you get the hang of it, it gets a lot easier. The key is to find an unwind routine that works for you. Some options that work for many include exercise, yoga, saunas or hot showers, an extra hobby, or a nice massage. Whatever works for you, stick with it! Soon you will find some great benefits to your health and a better outlook on life in general.
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Used under Creative Commons Licensing courtesy of Richard Davis