How Does Stress Affect Your Body?

Fatigue is a non-specific symptom characterized by lingering tiredness, even after
periods of rest. Fatigue impairs cognitive abilities and those that are suffering from it find
they are unable to complete daily tasks at normal performance. Fatigue is often a sideeffect
of depression or stress. Fatigue may also be the result of a hormonal imbalance
due to an improperly working adrenal gland.

What is Stress?

Stress, loosely defined, is your body’s method of handling a challenge. When we feel
threatened, for example, a chemical reaction occurs in our bodies in order to generate a
response. Our blood pressure rises, breathing quickens, muscles tighten, and the heart
begins to race. This is what enables our “fight-or-flight” response, such as slamming on
the breaks to avoid an accident. In this regard, stress is as good thing.

Stress most commonly incurs, however, as the result of an argument, a hectic situation
at work, or through a challenging relationship. As human beings, we are designed to
handle small doses of these occurrences. What we are not designed for are the
consequences that frequent stress inflicts on our bodies, such as heart disease and
insomnia. Because stress is often such a normal occurrence in our lives, many of us do
not even recognize that we are suffering from it.

Symptoms of Stress

Stress affects us emotionally, physically, cognitively, and behaviorally. Just as triggers of
stress vary from person from person, so do the symptoms. What is not unique,
unfortunately, is that symptoms of stress often accompany one another and compound
when left ignored. This is why it is so important to measure your hormone levels and
correct any imbalances as early as possible.

How Does Stress Affect Your Body?

What is Stress?

Symptoms of Stress

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