By: Ana Margarita Olar| Vigorbuddy.com
There are two types of stress. One is eustress or a positive kind of stress. This is what keeps us going every day. We need a normal amount of stress to keep us motivated and productive.
But, there is also distress. This is a negative stress. Imagine when you face a dangerous situation and your flight or fight response activates. If our body is exposed to this kind of a stress for longer periods of time, here are some of the consequences:
LACK OF SLEEP
A person’s body is designed to tolerate daily challenges. But because of some factors, some people have the ability to “turn it off” to rest. But some continue to stay alert and active even if it is time to rest.
This could lead to prolonged health problems and inability to sleep. When you lack sleep, your body cannot repair itself. Your organs and body system is not able to rest. This is one of the reasons why stress can kill you softly.
BINGE EATING
When you lack sleep, or you just can’t cope up with a stressor, another problem comes up: binge eating. Your body cannot rest so it will make a way for relief. Your brain signals you to crave for unhealthy foods.
Who doesn’t want chocolates, potato chips, and sugar loaded drinks when you are on the verge of daily tension? And these extra salt and sugar are not good for your system. Over time, this can lead to health problems. you can have obesity, high blood cholesterol, hypertension, diabetes.
BAD HABITS
Aside from unhealthy eating habits, prolonged exposure to stress can lead to unhealthy coping mechanisms. Alcoholism, smoking, and substance dependence have ill effects on our body as well. Excessive alcohol can lead to liver and kidney diseases. Smoking contains harmful chemicals that slowly poison our body. And the use of an illegal substance can lead to early death as well.
HEART PROBLEMS
Stress can affect your heart health in many ways. One prolonged exposure to stress can lead to hypertension and hyperactivity that stresses the heart. If you are impatient, competitive or hostile, stress can cause a lot of pressure to your heart.
Two, your unhealthy eating habits and negative coping mechanisms also put your heart at risk. Studies show that stress is linked with fatal heart conditions such as heart attack.
DECREASED IMMUNE RESPONSE
When your stress response goes haywire your immune system malfunctions as well. This leaves you susceptible to any infection, from mild to severe type. This condition can also cause poor recovery from illness because your body cannot function well.
Don’t let stress caught up with you. You have to help yourself. Stress is an inevitable part of life and you have to teach yourself to cope up. There are proper ways of coping up with stress. Don’t let stress hinder you from getting the best out of life.