Pain due to stress
Everyone experiences stress at some point, whether from work, school, holidays, or children running around. But what impact does stress have on your body? Prolonged stress can create imbalances in both your body and mind. Persistent stress can be experienced due to constant work pressure, losing a loved one, or financial problems.
How to recognise stress
In the past, stress was meant to aid in fight-or-flight responses. This would cause your body to tense all muscles, increase your heart rate, and elevate blood pressure, leading to enhanced concentration for a short period. However, what if you suffer from stress for an extended period? Prolonged stress often leads to fatigue and a lack of motivation to undertake activities.
Posture
The fatigue resulting from prolonged stress can cause you to adopt an incorrect posture. When stressed, you tend to tense your shoulders and hang your head. This can lead to neck and back pain after a while. Many people turn to physiotherapy for relief, but it can only provide short-term solutions, as stress can cause the issues to recur.
Nutrition
During stress, you may lose your appetite or overeat, both of which are not beneficial for your body. Eating too little can further fatigue your body and lead to mental problems, such as mood swings, irritability, and feeling agitated. On the other hand, stress itself can cause weight gain as your body slows down the digestive process, leading to increased fat and sugar retention. Managing stress through nutrition is possible. Fruits provide antioxidants that support your immune system, helping you avoid stress-related illness. Carbohydrates also assist in stress reduction by promoting the production of serotonin in the brain, inducing relaxation.
Insomnia
Stress often leaves you fatigued during the day but with increased energy in the evening. This is due to the stress hormone disrupting your body’s natural rhythm. The stress hormone elevates cortisol levels, enabling prolonged performance. Overproduction or timing issues with cortisol can send your brain into survival mode, causing morning fatigue and heightened energy levels in the evening. Inadequate sleep hinders proper recovery and can impair performance.
Preventing stress
You can prevent stress by incorporating regular exercise. Physical activity provides your body with tranquillity and allows you to clear your mind. Maintaining a healthy diet and staying adequately hydrated contribute to overall well-being and support your body’s recovery. Prolonged stress can lead to anxiety attacks, depression, and burnout.
