Memory loss: If you notice you can't seem to remember the details you just discussed during a stressful meeting, it could be an effect of your shrunken hippocampus, says Jeffrey Rossman, PhD, psychologist and director of life management at Canyon Ranch in Lenox, Massachusetts, and Rodale. Chronic stress can expose the hippocampus, the area of the brain that controls your short-term memory, to excessive levels of the stress hormone cortisol.
And that can inhibit your brain's ability to remember things. Dealing with the root cause of your stress is the best way to get your memory back, but until that happens, write down important bits of information and find other ways to supercharge your memory.
Weakened immunity: Perhaps the most noticeable effect that stress has on your body is a weakened immune system, and that happens for a couple of reasons. First, stress triggers the release of catecholemines, hormones that help regulate your immune system; prolonged release of these hormones can interfere with their ability to do that. Second, says Rossman, stress shrinks your thymus gland, the gland that produces your infection-fighting white blood cells, and it damages telomeres, which are genes that help those immune cells reproduce.
A good way to deal with stress and boost your immune system is to exercise; if you're so stressed out that you can't fit in those 30 minutes a day, try these other tricks for boosting immunity. Yoga and meditation can help reduce stress-related sweating, and if you think you might be suffering from hyperhidrosis, find a physician who specializes in the disorder.
You may be helping more than just yourself. A study published last fall in the journal PLoS One found that stress sweat can give off certain signals that people around you can detect, possibly causing them to be stressed out as well, as a result. IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. Eating disorders Have you ever reached for something sweet and tasty when you felt overwhelmed by stress?
You are not alone. Thousands of people react to stress by feeding an eating pattern that typically reaches for sweets or carbohydrate -laden foods for a quick sugar rush. While your blood sugar may skyrocket briefly, it is sure to plummet afterward, often leaving you feeling worse than before.
If you must nibble when stress has you in its clasp, stick to crisp veggies or light butter popcorn. Fiber will make you feel full and keep you healthy, too. Eat a balanced diet to calm your nerves and stay on top of stressful situations.
Depression Unresolved stress can make a person feel angry or hopeless, both of which can lead to depression. If you feel chronically sad, have trouble thinking clearly, feel alone or unloved, struggle with guilt or shame, chances are you are battling a serious case of depression related to stress.
Illnesses caused by stress may appear unrelated, but when doctors, counselors, or the patients themselves take a closer look, often there is a cause-and-effect relationship between stress and conditions like depression.
A doctor should be able to diagnose the source of the stress-related depression and prescribe appropriate treatment. Anxiety and panic attacks Like depression, anxiety disorders and panic attacks frequently have a stress-related connection. People who struggle with ongoing situations that make them feel uneasy may experience high levels of stress that can manifest in nervousness and fear, seemingly for an unknown cause. Through careful analysis, it can be discerned whether a stressful situation may be the cause for one of these disorders.
If the disorders continue to occur or increase in frequency, it is a good idea to meet with a counselor or psychologist to deal with root issues. Colds and viruses Physical illnesses caused by stress may be as common as the garden variety cold or a seasonal virus. People who are stressed often have immune systems that are not functioning properly. Consequently, they can get sick faster and easier than they otherwise might.
To alleviate stress that may be contributing to a prolonged cold or sickness, be sure to get plenty of rest, eat healthily and avoid worrying. How your body and immune system respond to stress depends on many factors, including whether the stress is acute or chronic. Acute stress is a normal part of everyday life. It's how your body responds to threats in the environment, and it's necessary for survival, Cutler says.
You might experience acute stress when stuck in a traffic jam or running late for an important meeting. For the most part, this acute stress is manageable and doesn't cause lasting physical effects. However, if you experience it frequently or are constantly under stress, it can become chronic and impair bodily functions like your immune system. When we experience a sudden onset of stress, maybe from slamming on the brakes to avoid an accident, our muscles tense up and then release once the tension passes.
But when we are under stress for prolonged periods of time, those muscles remain tense, which can trigger headaches and muscle pain, according to the American Psychological Association.
Chronic stress and poor mental health can contribute to a range of long-term physical health problems, including:.
According to Cutler, prolonged stress is associated with many health complications, like a weakened immune system and an increased risk of heart disease , so the better you're able to manage your stress, the better your overall health will be. World globe An icon of the world globe, indicating different international options. Get the Insider App. Click here to learn more.
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