How stress can harm your physical health©Getty Images
Modern life is difficult. People are under all kinds of stress, whether this is to do with lack of work, working too hard, or family and relationship problems, just to name a few serious issues. Indeed, some people throw the word “stress” around rather flippantly, when in reality it can be highly dangerous and even deadly.
Not exercising©Shutterstock
Stress can reduce your energy levels, leaving you feeling depleted and without any motivation to exercise.
Weight gain©Shutterstock
Metabolic syndrome is also known as central obesity. The risk of developing this is much higher in people who experience stress.
Tension headaches©Shutterstock
Stress is the number one cause of tension headaches. While these headaches are mild to moderate, they can still be very unpleasant.
Heart attack or stroke©Shutterstock
Stress can cause fluctuations and elevations in your blood pressure, which can lead to a heart attack or stroke.
Sleep problems©Shutterstock
Feeling stressed can interfere with your ability to sleep properly at night. The problem is also exacerbated by worrying about it.
Stomach problems©Shutterstock
Stress can lead to problems with acid reflux and heartburn. This may, in turn, lead to more serious issues, like stomach ulcers.
Diabetes risk©Shutterstock
The more stress-related eating that you partake in, the more likely you are to increase your blood sugar levels, which can increase your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Libido©Shutterstock
Your desires can be seriously impaired by stress. Because you are not relaxed, it will be very difficult to get in the mood.
Seizures©Shutterstock
The most common trigger for those who have epilepsy and consequently experience seizures is stress.
Shingles©Shutterstock
Illnesses such as shingles can be brought on by chronic stress, as it can be a serious hit to your immune system.
Addiction©Getty Images
The more stressed you are, the more likely you are to indulge in addictive behaviors, such as smoking or excessive drinking.
Dementia©Shutterstock
There is a far greater likelihood of developing dementia in later life if you have been highly prone to stress in mid-life.
Hair©Shutterstock
Stress can have a huge effect on your hair. It can both slow down its growth and also be a contributing factor in hair loss.
Depression©Shutterstock
High levels of stress can be a major factor in exacerbating levels of depression and anxiety, and can cause panic disorder.
Erectile dysfunction©Shutterstock
The ability to get and maintain an erection is both physical and psychological. Stress can be a major contributing factor to ED.
Pain©Shutterstock
Stress can even interfere with levels of pain. It can exaggerate the stimulus levels in the body, and exacerbate feelings of pain.
Excessive restroom trips©Shutterstock
When stressed, the body is in a state of nervousness. Therefore, increased restroom trips can be a consequence.
Prone to illness©Shutterstock
Increased levels of stress can have a detrimental effect on your level of white blood cells, which are crucial in fighting illness.
Hot flashes©Shutterstock
Chronic stress can increase sweating in general, and this is even more apparent when it comes to women going through menopause.
A lump in the throat©Shutterstock
People who experience stress can feel a lump in their throats. Nothing is there, but stress sometimes causes the throat muscles to constrict, which creates the sensation.
Cancer©Getty Images
Stress has an effect on the body, right down to a cellular level. Therefore, stress can cause malignant tumors to enlarge.
Tinnitus©Getty Images
Often, tinnitus is caused by exposure to very loud music. However, it can also be caused and exacerbated by stress.
Genetics©Getty Images
Stress can even change your genetic code. Confusing as this sounds, it works by activating genes and disturbing cellular growth.
Shrinking of the brain©Getty Images
This may sound more science fiction than science fact but, unfortunately, it’s true. Chronic stress can decrease both the weight and volume of the brain.
Conception©Shutterstock
Feeling stressed can make the process of trying to conceive more difficult. It can affect both men and women’s fertility.
Shaking hands©Shutterstock
Your body cannot distinguish between threat caused by real danger and the adverse effects of stress. Therefore, it can make your hands shake.
Bad food choices©Getty Images
A lack of serotonin can make you crave junk food. This is temporarily relieved after eating, but it doesn’t last.
Disability©Shutterstock
Stress is constantly putting both your mind and body under strain. Therefore, it can make you more susceptible to disability.
Premature death©Getty Images
High or even moderate levels of stress can increase your chances of dying prematurely by up to 50%.
