We are all doing our best to live healthy, productive lives. We make a conscious choice to eat well, we stick to our exercise routine, and we get the recommended eight hours of sleep a night. But did you know that despite all that, there may be another factor wreaking havoc on your overall wellness?
That’s right, folks. We’re talking about stress.
Over the years, it’s become more and more widely known that our physical and mental health are inextricably linked to each other. We cannot have one without the other. Yet, many people neglect their inner wellness, in favor of what we see on the outside.
However, allowing stress levels to go unchecked can have huge consequences on our overall health. We’re covering the various ways stress might be affecting you, and offering you our favorite tips and tools to counteract that.
Digestion
You hear it all the time these days: gut health is vitally important.
It can be difficult to maintain when we are fighting against high levels of stress. This is because the digestive system has a sympathetic nervous system of its own, that is highly reactive to thoughts and feelings. This is why, if you’ve ever felt nervous before a job interview or competition, you might have had an upset stomach.
When you are regularly stressed, your body may be operating in a “fight or flight” state, where it conserves energy by stopping all non-essential functions. Unfortunately, one of these functions is digestion. The body slows the digestive process, which can lead to constipation, stomachaches, and nausea. Stress also can activate increased motor function in the large intestine, which can lead to gas and diarrhea.
Stress can be a huge player in Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Medical professionals often won’t be able to find an underlying physical cause, but their symptoms will all be present.
Headache
Do you suffer from recurring headaches? It might be the stress.
Tension headaches are by far the most common type of headache. They are characterized by a steady ache throughout the entire head. People often describe it as having a rubber band around their heads.
While the exact cause of tension headaches is unknown, many people get them in reaction to stress. This could be because stress causes our body to tense, resulting in a tightening in the muscles around the head and neck.
Many people who experience migraines also find that they are triggered by stress. Migraines are identified by a throbbing pain that can cause sensitivity to light, as well as nausea.
Back Pain
Almost 65 million Americans report having experienced back pain. It is a condition that affects almost all of us, at some point in our life. And while there are a variety of reasons that might be (sedentary lifestyles, decreased mobility, poor posture), stress can be a huge contributor.
Similar to tension headaches, stress can cause muscles all over our body to tighten, including the muscles that affect our back. Our spine is hugely important to our overall mobility, and chronic back pain can be debilitating and frustrating.
Respiratory System
There’s a reason why, when we want someone to calm down, we tell them to take a deep breath. Our respiratory system can have huge effects on our emotions, and vice versa.
When we are nervous or stressed, it can present physically as shallow breathing or shortness of breath. In people who struggle with asthma, this can be particularly troubling. Stress has been shown to trigger asthma attacks. Hyperventilation can also bring on panic attacks.
Ways To Combat Stress
If you see yourself in any of the descriptions above, don’t worry. Once you have identified how stress is affecting you, you can take actionable steps forward to combat it. Here are some of our favorite tips for making sure that you control your stress, and it doesn’t control you.
- Speak with your medical provider – If stress is taking over your life, and affecting your overall health, talk with your doctor about potential solutions that might be available to you. Medication can be a powerful tool for combating stress brought on by anxiety or other mood disorders.
- Meditation – We mentioned above that the respiratory system can have a strong effect on our whole body. Taking the time to slow down, and reconnect with the breath is a great way to train the body to feel safe and calm.
- Journal – Many people find journaling to be a helpful outlet to process feelings. When our brains are running at full capacity, it can be difficult to sort through our emotions and pinpoint exactly what is troubling us. Writing down your experiences on paper can help you think more clearly, as well as give you an outlet to let go of the thoughts that are no longer serving you.
- Get Outside – Spending time outdoors has been proven to reduce stress levels. It’s also a great way to give yourself a break from technology that can make you feel like you have to be “on” and available 24/7.
What are your best tips for dealing with stress? Share in the comments below.
