The impact of stress on our long-term health
High stress means high adrenaline and cortisol, the stress hormones. In the medium term it drives a state of anxiousness, early morning waking, and poor sleep. This is then followed by the burnout or flatline state, which can bring depression, an inability to get out of bed in the morning, and a generally flat emotional response. Without the normal fluctuation in our mood and emotional responses, the colour and joy goes out of life.
Chronic stress is debilitating in the medium term, but it can cause severe damage in the long term. Symptoms include anxiety and depression, increased belly fat, muscle wasting (especially in the arms and legs), thinning hair, and poor skin. It can also cause digestive problems, poor sleep, headaches, memory problems, and heart disease. On top of all of this, it will depress the immune system. One study showed that the immune cells of highly stressed individuals are aged by an extra 10 years (1).
In another study, stress was shown to increase the risk of Alzheimer’s, the most common type of dementia. A study from Australia by David Groth looked at the interaction of Alzheimer’s with stress. High cortisol causes poor regulation of glucose in the brain, which is a recognised cause of Alzheimer’s.
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