Written by Dr. Aisha Harris
Are you stressed?
Some may think that is a silly question because life has a lot of things that can stress you out. But balancing life and its curve balls is difficult for many people. We all have our own challenges, but what does that look like when you take a closer look at your health?
So again, are you stressed? Do you feel overwhelmed? Frustrated about something? Tense in your body? Or like you never get a break for just “life happening to you?” Stress for everyone looks different and presents itself in different ways. What makes your friend or family member stressed may seem like nothing to you. And vice versa, what makes you stressed may be a really easy situation or circumstance for someone else.
But even though stress looks and feels different for everyone one, when it comes to our health, stress has a general impact that can cause problems now and in the future.
Did you know you can be chronically stressed? Yes, there is a term for being stressed for long periods of time. Chronic stress is a prolonged and persistent state of stress, lasting for weeks or months, that can negatively impact physical and mental health. Chronic stress can cause physical symptoms like headaches, stomach problems, muscle tension, poor sleep and fatigue-while also causing emotional symptoms like anxiety, difficulty concentration, feeling overwhelmed or irritable.
Chronic stress presents differently for everyone. Some even can withdrawal from social connections and interactions when stressed, or turn to substances, which they think will help with the stress.
Stress has so many negative impacts, which is why we should be aware of our stress levels and its influence on how we function in live. Because chronic stress can be caused by family, finances, work, relationships, traumatic events, and more, no one is immune or protected from feeling chronic stress. Again, chronic stress can happen to everyone, but how we balance and address is can be life-changing and lifesaving.
Chronic stress can influence our health immediately and long term by increasing various health risks associated with stress. Chronic stress is associated with heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and strokes. Stress can weaken your immune system and cause you to have anxiety, depression or insomnia to name a few. The chronic inflammation of stress can play a big role in your health risks and sometimes take a while for you to even notice. So, as many people embrace the chaos and stress of life, it is important to know there are negative consequences to being chronically stressed.
Luckily, though, there are ways to manage chronic stress. First, you have to identify the stress and source of stress. Then you have to practice ways to reduce the stress internally and externally by using different techniques, resources or changing the situation or circumstance. It is also helpful to regularly exercise, have a healthy diet and get enough sleep to better manage stress. And sometimes, for many people, seeking professional help is important and essential to help manage and address chronic stress through the help of a therapist.
There are options to address stress but knowing that is present is the first step. You cannot eliminate all stress forever, but you can take the steps to reduce its impact and influence on your life and health.
Dr Aisha Harris, MD, is a Flint native and board-certified family medicine doctor at Harris Family Health in Flint, Michigan. Harris Family Health is a membership-based clinic that provides personalized and full primary care to adults and children. Learn more about Harris Family Health by visiting www.harrisfamilyhealth.com.
Also, feel free to submit health questions to Dr Harris via theflintcouriernews@gmail.com.
