Stress on Health – The Physical Effects
There have recently been a number of studies showing the physical effects of stress on health – and believe me there are many. How to Think Positive is all about improving your thinking so that, not only will you be more happy, but you will be more healthy. Read on to learn about the numerous effects that stress can have on your physical health.
The Effects on Your Immune System
I don’t know about you, but for me there have been many times in my life that I’ve been stressed and become ill as a result. This might only be a cold, but I can always tell that I’ve become run down because of the stress that’s affecting my life.
This is because it has been shown that stress has an effect on our immune systems. This immune system is basically out body’s defense for keeping out unwanted viruses and bacteria – there to protect us against illness. When under stress, our body simply isn’t able to work on defending itself as it normally would.
Can This Lead to Worse Situations?
The truth is that a weakened immune system can lead to a whole host of other problems, if it is affected by stress for a long period of time. For example, you could find that more serious conditions develop that cold and flu.
Some of the conditions linked to a weakened immune system are:
- The growth of tumors,
- Developing irritable bowel syndrome,
- Experiencing hair loss,
- An increase in blood pressure due to our ‘fight or flight’ reaction to stress
From personal experience I have also learned that stress and anxiety generally have an effect on digestion, and they frequently gave me stomach aches.
Conclusion
These effects of stress on health may seem alarming, but they don’t need to be. A weakened immune system, over time, could become susceptible to such problems. However, choosing to think more positively is one of the best steps you can take to reduce stress – so keep reading this blog for more tips!
