top of page

The Link Between Chronic Stress and Physical Health


Stress is a universal part of life. While short-term stress can help us meet deadlines or escape danger, chronic stress—persistent stress over time—has been closely linked with a range of physical health issues. Mounting scientific evidence shows that untreated stress doesn’t just affect mental well-being—it takes a real toll on the body.


What Is Chronic Stress?


Chronic stress occurs when the body remains in a prolonged state of “fight or flight.” The stress response, primarily regulated by the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, triggers the release of hormones like cortisol and adrenaline (McEwen & McEwen, 2017). Over time, sustained cortisol elevation can lead to inflammation, immune dysfunction, and organ damage.


Physical Health Conditions Linked to Chronic Stress


Chronic stress is a significant risk factor for hypertension, heart attack, and stroke. According to the American Heart Association (2021), stress increases heart rate and blood pressure, and persistent exposure to stress hormones can damage arterial walls.


2. Immune System Suppression


Ongoing stress weakens the immune system’s response to infections and vaccines. A systematic review by Dhabhar (2018) found that chronic stress reduces natural killer cell activity and antibody production, increasing susceptibility to illness.


3. Gastrointestinal Issues


Stress alters gut motility, permeability, and microbiota composition, contributing to disorders like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). A Harvard Health article (2020) explains that the gut-brain axis plays a key role in how stress affects digestion.


4. Metabolic Disorders and Weight Gain


Stress increases cravings for high-calorie foods and alters glucose metabolism. Cortisol promotes fat storage, especially around the abdomen, increasing the risk of type 2 diabetes and obesity (Pervanidou & Chrousos, 2018).


5. Chronic Pain and Muscle Tension


Chronic stress is commonly associated with musculoskeletal pain, tension headaches, and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction. Cortisol-induced inflammation can also worsen conditions like arthritis (NIH, 2021).



Conclusion: Stress Is Not Just in Your Head


The physiological effects of long-term stress are profound and well-documented. Recognizing and managing stress is essential not only for emotional balance but for preventing chronic illness.


References



Dhabhar, F. S. (2018). The short- and long-term effects of stress on immune system function. Journal of Neuroimmune Pharmacology, 13(4), 481–486. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11481-018-9780-1


Harvard Health Publishing. (2020). The gut-brain connection. Harvard Medical School. https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/the-gut-brain-connection


McEwen, B. S., & McEwen, C. A. (2017). Stress-induced epigenetic changes and their role in mental disorders. American Journal of Psychiatry, 174(10), 971–984. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.2017.16121072


National Institutes of Health. (2021). Chronic pain and stress: Exploring the connection. https://painconsortium.nih.gov


Pervanidou, P., & Chrousos, G. P. (2018). Stress and obesity/metabolic syndrome in childhood and adolescence. International Journal of Pediatric Obesity, 13(Suppl 1), 3–17. https://doi.org/10.1080/17477166.2017.1322059



 
 
 

Recent Posts

See All
Risks of Sedentary Lifestyle

by Theresa Min A sedentary lifestyle refers to a lifestyle of low physical activity, which includes prolonged periods of sitting, lying...

 
 
 

Comments


© 2021 by We Rise 4 Wellness, Inc.

bottom of page