Health Tips > Stress Less > Physical Effects of Stress on Your Body and How to Manage It

Physical Effects of Stress on Your Body and How to Manage It

When you're stressed out, you seem to feel it everywhere. Stress may be an emotion, but it takes a very physical toll on our bodies.

Have you ever wondered why when you're stressed you seem to gain or lose weight, feel muscle aches or have trouble sleeping? Stress can cause all of this aside from just the physical symptoms. It can affect your weight and your digestive system, cause difficulty sleeping and result in stiffness in the body.

Your body responds to stress with:

Heavier breathing
An increased heart rate
Headaches
Anxiety
Increased perception of pain
A weakened immune system

It's important to allow the mind and body to relax and switch off the stress to prevent ongoing physical problems.

Good Stress, Bad Stress
Keep in mind that not all stress is bad—some stress is actually good for your health. It can be a great motivator and help you succeed at home, in relationships and at work.

But since chronic stress isn’t beneficial and should be controlled and managed. The secret is learning how to use small stresses to help you succeed and finding ways to manage bigger stresses to prevent them from harming your health.

Exercise and Stress
Exercise can help you wind down, relax and de-stress. Exercise releases endorphins, which are chemicals that improve mood. If you're feeling stressed out and anxious, stop, take a deep breath and treat yourself to some exercise. A walk, a run, a yoga class— whatever you have time for and enjoy will help you manage your stress and better tackle whatever problem you face. Regular exercise can help you become more stress resilient.

Stress Management
Managing your stress should be a priority to protect your physical and emotional health. Follow these suggestions to help keep stress in check:

Eat clean. Stick to healthy, nutritious foods and skip the junk. If you want to feel productive and energetic you must eat to support that. Junk food does nothing but drag your body down physically and mentally.
Head to bed. Sleep is so important but so hard for a lot of people to do. When you get sleep, your brain and body rejuvenates so that you can handle the stresses that are coming.
Treat yourself to a massage. A massage can ease tense muscles, relax the body, improve sleep, boost your mood and more. Getting a massage is a gift that you can give to your body.
Enjoy the little things. Don't wait for a big vacation or special occasion to relax and enjoy happiness. Slow down, breathe, spend time in nature or laugh with a friend. Find lots of little ways to fight back against stress.

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