Whether you’re a business owner or employee, if you work long hours and have major responsibilities, it’s inevitable that your stress levels will rise. Whether you’ve got a nearing deadline for an important client or disaster has struck out of nowhere, it’s important you know how to get a handle on your stress, otherwise, your body will suffer as a result.
While many of us think of stress primarily impacting our mental health, you’ll be amazed at what it can do to your body. Chronic or prolonged stress in particular can take its toll on your physical health. Read on to find some of the alarming effects work-related stress can have on your body.
Weakened Immune System
Your immune system’s job is simple. It’s there to defend against illness, disease, and ultimately, keep you healthy. The immune system is a complex and vast interconnected network of numerous organs, proteins, and cells that work simultaneously to protect your body. Cortisol is a stress hormone that can be brought on by chronic stress and weaken your immune system, making you more at risk of developing frequent colds and flu.
Hair Loss
To put it simply, hair loss and stress can be linked. There are several types of hair loss that can be associated with high-stress levels. One of the most common is called telogen effluvium. This type typically affects your scalp and can appear as patchy hair loss. Although, it can also cause you to shed more body hair. You may notice less hair on the body than you normally would. There are options available to treat your hair loss. Oxford Online Pharmacy sells a variety of hair loss products and medication that could prove beneficial.
Weight Gain
Stress can hinder your appetite and eating habits, causing emotional eating and cravings for unhealthy foods. Naturally, over time, you may start to gain weight, especially around your abdominal area. Chronic stress can also impact metabolism and increase the risk of obesity. If you find yourself reaching for snacks and junk food when you’re full of stress, it’s time to take action. Gaining weight can have a serious effect on your self-esteem and confidence too.
Increased Risk of Heart Attack
Those dealing with chronic stress can find their blood pressure levels go through the roof. What’s more, too much stress can increase your heart rate and cause inflammation, putting you at a higher risk of developing heart disease. Should you get diagnosed with heart disease, you’re at an increased risk of having a heart attack.
Digestive Problems
If you find yourself getting stressed more often than normal, you may start noticing issues with your digestive system. Stress can wreak havoc on your digestive system, meaning you may start getting diarrhoea, bloating, and constipation episodes more often. Other conditions can be brought on by stress too, like irritable bowel syndrome.
Skin Issues
Stress is one of the leading triggers for skin problems. For those who have skin conditions like acne or eczema, too much stress can actually cause more harm than good. You may also find your skin becomes more reactive and sensitive. Both of these problems can result in increased redness, itching, and inflammation.
Muscle Tension
Whenever you’re stressed, you may have a tendency to tense your muscles. If you continue to do this, you may start noticing muscle stiffness, body pain and tension headaches. Chronic stress can quickly lead to conditions such as fibromyalgia. This is where widespread tenderness and muscle pain occur.
Sleep Disturbances
If you find yourself struggling to get a good night’s sleep, work-related stress could be the root cause. Those who constantly toss and turn worrying about work and what awaits at the office will wake up feeling rundown and lethargic. Too much stress can hinder how much deep sleep you get. If you find it difficult to fall and stay asleep, there are various actions you can try out. These include going to sleep at the same time each night, avoiding blue light, and having a relaxing soak in the bath before hitting the hay.
Cognitive Decline
Over time, work-related stress can increase your chances of cognitive decline earlier than you think. Stress can put you at an increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Too much stress can also cause memory problems, issues with concentration and more.
In today’s high-pressure, fast-paced world, workers up and down the country are dealing with more stress than ever before. Those who take their work problems home with them may find it incredibly difficult to relax and instead, find their stress levels spiralling out of control.
If you’re struggling to manage your stress, now is the time to speak to your GP. A medical professional can step in and provide useful advice and guidance on strategies to take to bust stress and get you back on track.
