Stress and Your Health: What You Should Know

An article published in the Danish Medical Journal in November 2012 concluded that a mindfulness approach can improve what is called ‘bodily distress syndrome.’ The researchers referred to multiple, various, and disabling physical symptoms that cannot be fully or at all explained medically as ‘bodily distress syndrome.’

Think irritable bowel syndrome, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome but don’t stop there. It is now widely recognized that stress, especially long-term or chronic stress, is associated with a higher risk of chronic disease such as cardiovascular disease, depression and even cancer. While emotions of various degrees are often associated with illness, negative emotions can also induce illness.

When people are stressed, they sleep poorly, eating habits are affected (both binging and starving are known reactions to stress,) they often smoke or drink in desperation for some temporary relief, exercise is left aside. All of that adds insult to injury. The immune system is affected, so are the digestive system and the cardiovascular system, all essential for survival and all connected with each other and with the whole body in a perfectly intricate way.

Chronic stress in today’s hurried day to day life is a reality for many people. Upbeat ideas on how to deal with it always look good on paper but are often hard to put in practice. Where does one start?

How to cope with stress

Coping strategies are many and varied, but here are a few baby steps to get you started in finding the ones that fit your lifestyle best:

• Find time to get outside and move. A simple brisk walk of 15 minutes (or as long as you can spare) will help to gradually strengthen your body and relax the mind.
• Get together with people who matter. Research showed that getting together with close friends with whom you can share life’s uphill battle details can reduce your levels of stress. Abstain from drinking since alcohol can induce temporary depression (the often derided ‘hangover’ is pretty much your body trying to cope with all the alcohol and its metabolites.)
• Steer clear of highly-processed treats and fast food. They will wreak even more havoc with your body which will add to your overall levels of discomfort, both physically and psychologically. The proverbial stress-triggered chocolate binge will give you a short-lived high followed by a matching crash. Opt for healthy good pick-me-up fares instead such as warm soups, green salad with nuts and fruit, or a nutritious smoothie. And a square of fairly-traded dark chocolate.
• Sleep. If you have trouble falling asleep try a few relaxation methods, stay away from any screens and, why not, try to declutter or rearrange your bedroom to create a peaceful place to be. Also, learn to listen to your body. Sleep when sleepy, even if it’s a cat nap. A few minutes of sleep when most needed can do wonders to the mind.

Stress is a side-effect of being alive. It helps us function well by giving us the right amount of jolt when we need it but chronic stress will have a harmful effect on the body.

Other Resources

Here are some additional resources you can study for more information on dealing with stress:

1. Ten relaxation techniques that reduce stress fast

2. Stress managing tools

3. Gabor Mate, When the body says no (Random House, 2004)