How Stress Affects You Physically

Due to the hectic pace of modern life, it has become increasingly difficult to avoid 
stressful situations in and out of the home. Common sources of stress include financial 
hardships, issues at work, unsuccessful relationships and familial obligations. 
Individuals from all stages of life experience stress to varying degrees. However, while 
we do not usually think of stress in positive terms, we oftentimes fail to really examine 
the physical toll it takes on our bodies. 

Physical Symptoms of Stress

Stress can result in a number of physical ailments. As a matter of fact, one of the most 
widely reported symptoms of stress is insomnia. This is because individuals 
experiencing stress frequently have a hard time falling or staying asleep. Over time, this 
can lead to fatigue, which can impact one’s ability to concentrate or focus. 

Acute stress, which is a short-term response to agitating or alarming stimuli, can also 
trigger panic and asthma attacks in those that are predisposed to those conditions. 
Other physical manifestations of stress include headaches, digestive problems, 
muscular pain and chest aches—all of which have the potential to disrupt our everyday 
performance in the home or workplace.

How Can Chronic Stress Affect You?

Chronic stress is the outcome of a prolonged state of emotional distress. Symptoms of 
chronic stress include backaches, abdominal soreness, disrupted sleep and migraines. 
More worryingly, chronic stress can increase one’s risk of developing more serious 
long-term physical disorders. 

Chronic stress can heighten one’s chances of developing cardiovascular disease, a 
leading cause of the death in many countries. It has also been found to aggravate heart 
disease symptoms and can contribute to the risk of stroke and hypertension. Likewise, 
the immune system can also be hampered by chronic stress. Studies have found that, 
after a period of time, chronic stress weakens the immune system. This can leave the 
body susceptible to illnesses.

Mindfulness and Stress

The good news is that there are many ways to manage stress. Practicing mindfulness, 
the art of directing one’s focus to the present, is a strong aid in the battle against stress. 
Mindfulness can take many forms. Yoga, meditation, going for a walk and deep 
breathing exercises—these are all stress-relieving practices that anyone can do on any 
given day of the week.

Mindfulness helps combat stress by improving one’s ability to concentrate on, confront 
and control thoughts about stressful situations in a productive and beneficial way. 
Rather than attempting to ignore or suppress feelings of stress, mindful 
acknowledgement and management of one’s concerns and frustrations is the key to a 
healthier life.

