You are stuck in traffic jam, 2-3 hours brain was in stress,
you have fought with any person whole day wasted in stressful thoughts; you
came in contact with another person outside, you were stressed for 3-4 days
with fear of infection, a project to submit, you are stressed from a week and
in lockdown whole month spent in stress for economy, job and other management. But
ever you noticed the effect of stress on your BODY? What signals your body
gives when you make stressful thought?
Researches have shown that the levels of cortisol and
adrenaline release on watching horror movies are more as compared to other
movies. If just virtual problems can increase cortisol levels, actual
problem can release the double amount of cortisol in body; and later what
happens in body, you are completely ignorant to that.
Serious of chemical reactions occurs, which takes place in
your brain, later brain sends chemical messenger throughout the body, and its
ill effects manifests.
The hypothalamic – pituitary – adrenal (HPA) axis is a
stress circuit that connects the stress hormone and nervous system.
Effect of stress on brain
During moments of high stress, following chain reaction
starts, they are chemicals and hormones which get activated in body. This
chemical + hormonal reaction makes person aggressive, increases breathing rate,
decreases brains ability to distinguish between wrong and right.
1.
First, stressors occurs [can be any person,
project, environment etc.]
2.
This cause CRH to release
3.
Then ACTH gets released
4.
ACTH causes cortisol to be released
5.
All these activation result into sending Message
to heart to work faster and harder therefore, blood pressure increases; thus
preparing body for immediate response.
Chemical reactions vary from person to person, depending
upon the ability of person to handle the stress. If stress reaction occurs
occasionally, body cope that easily but if somebody has the same reactions on
daily basis due to any stressors, stress becomes habit of the person.
Physical impact of stress
There are additional physical conditions that can occur as a
result of stress
1.
Function of digestion, immunity and
detoxification are suppressed
2.
Sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous, both
systems are activated
3.
Eyes get dilated [pupils ]
4.
Blood pressure increases [heart pumps more
blood, causes body to shake]
5.
Breathing rate increases
6.
Cholesterol is released inside the body
7.
Bones are gradually demineralized
8.
Fat deposition increases [to give energy during
stress]
9.
Energy level decreases [feeling exhausted]
10.
Mood fluctuations occurs
Psychological impact of stress
1.
Many studies shows that if stress is not handled
and resolved will result into onset of Depression or Anxiety.
2.
Many individual makes habit of stress on every
small thing, in this case their Serotonin level decreases, Serotonin levels
gives sense of pleasure and well-being.
3.
More and more stress on every now & then
surely reduce quality of life by reducing Serotonin level.
4.
Most important relationships are disturbed in
times of stress.
Major effects of stress leading to diseases
Heart disease
Stress activates the sympathetic nervous
system that affects many organs, including heart. It increases heart rate, pumping
actions; decreases blood supply to heart muscles diverts all that towards
muscles.
Studies have reported association between
stress and high blood pressure which is more common in men that women. Another
studies report that one who regularly experiences spike in blood pressure may,
over the time develop inner linings in blood vessels.
Stroke
In some people, prolonged or frequent mental stress
causes an exaggerated increase in blood pressure, a risk factor for stroke.
Effect on immune system
People under chronic stress have low white blood
cells count are vulnerable to infections.
Stomach and intestine problem (gastrointestinal problem)
Brain and intestines are strongly related.
It is not surprising that prolonged stress can disrupt the digestive system
causing diarrhea, constipation, cramping, and bloating.
Excessive production of digestive acids in
the stomach may cause a painful burning. Stressful mind cannot digest eaten
foods or you may lose appetite to eat food. Undigested foods in intestine produce
gas and bloating.
Weight gain
Often, stress is related to weight gain and obesity. Cortisol stress hormone along with insulin is responsible for craving of food like salty, sugary or oily. These foods are ‘’comfort foods’’, means brain sends signal, at times of stress eating your favorite food can give some relief. These foods craving lead to weight gain. Research shows that hormonal induced cravings for ‘’comfort foods’’ may have biological benefit for managing stress.Diabetes
Due to cravings of food, fat deposition occurs in
body, this deposition is generally around abdominal area, therefore risk of
Diabetes increases. Stress can worsen existing diabetes by impairing the
patient’s ability to manage the disease effectively. Acute phase of stress
increases blood sugar levels.
Sleep disturbances
Tension of unresolved stress frequently cause
insomnia, keeping stressed person awake or causing awakening in middle of
night.
Memory, concentration, and learning
Stress affects memory; acute stress affects
short term memory particularly verbal memory. If stress becomes chronic,
sufferer often experiences loss of concentration at work and at home.
In children stress can inhibit learning.
Brain memory center gets shrink to small with stress.
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