Many people are not too concerned about their stress levels until things start downhill with their health or mental wellbeing. Encountering stress is inevitable, as it can be triggered by almost most anything including health, financial struggles, relationships, family, inadequate sleep and poor dieting to name but a few. Experiencing regular chronic stress can create devastating health implications. These can include:
1. Mental health complications
Research has discovered that people who encounter progressive stress are prone to numerous mental health complications such as low memory, depression, personality disorders, anxiety, irritability, fear, sadness, and anger. Stress has the ability to kill brain cells, and shrink the brain, hence complicating our health further. Serious mental health issues can lead to suicide, wasted careers, drug abuse, and reckless behavior. Help is out there to better manage stress levels and enhance mental health.
2. Cardiovascular system complications
Chronic stress has a reputation for triggering numerous cardiovascular system disorders including heart attacks, high blood pressure, stroke, abnormal heart rhythms and obesity. However, many of these may be partially prevented by living a stress-free lifestyle. Avoid reverting to unorthodox methods of fighting stress such as drinking, smoking or overeating. Instead, consider jogging, working out, meditating, dancing or swimming to get rid of stress and improve your overall health.
3. Menstrual problems/sexual dysfunction
Stress-prone females can experience menstrual complications during menstruation. Many men who experience chronic stress regularly can suffer from impotence, low sexual desire or other sexual dysfunctions. Many of these issues can be sorted out through regular exercises, healthy eating, meditation, and yoga, etc.
4. Skin & hair problems
Stress is affiliated with multiple beauty and hair problems including eczema, psoriasis, acne, premature aging, wrinkles, skin cancer, mouth ulcers and hair loss among others. Such ailments can lead to low self-esteem, lack of confidence, isolation, or depression. In order to protect yourself from such chronic skin and hair complications, health experts recommend regular exercises, meditation, adequate sleep, drinking enough water, and balanced dieting.
5. Digestive/Gastrointestinal problems
Many victims of stress experience various digestive/gastrointestinal problems such as irritable colon, GERD, ulcerative colitis and gastritis. It is common for stressed individuals to become vulnerable to diarrhea, belching, and stomachache. Avoid all these by making the right decisions including working out, improving your nutrition, avoiding negative people and drinking adequate water every day.
Now that you know the negative effects of stress on your overall health and wellness, make it your daily goal to live a more stress-free life.