What Stress Does To Your Body - Part 3

What Stress Does To Your Body - Part 3

5. The Brain and Mental Health

Stress does not only affect physical health — it changes the structure and function of the brain itself.

Memory and Concentration

Cortisol affects the hippocampus (hip-oh-KAM-pus) — the part of the brain responsible for forming and storing memories. Prolonged high cortisol levels can actually shrink the hippocampus, making it harder to learn new information, concentrate, and recall things clearly. This is why people describe feeling 'foggy' or forgetful during stressful periods.

Anxiety and Depression

Chronic stress dysregulates (disrupts the normal balance of) key neurotransmitters — chemical messengers in the brain — including serotonin and dopamine, which regulate mood. This dysregulation is closely linked to the development of:

•       Anxiety disorders — persistent, excessive worry or fear that interferes with daily life

•       Major depressive disorder — a persistent low mood, loss of interest in activities, and a range of physical symptoms

The World Health Organization estimates that depression and anxiety cost the global economy $1 trillion per year in lost productivity, with stress being a major contributing factor. [4]

Sleep

Elevated cortisol makes it harder to fall asleep and stay asleep. Poor sleep in turn makes the stress response more sensitive — creating a damaging cycle. Chronically poor sleep is independently linked to increased risk of obesity, diabetes, heart disease and premature death.

6. Muscles, Joints and the Musculoskeletal System

The musculoskeletal system refers to all the muscles, bones, tendons and ligaments in your body. When stress triggers the fight-or-flight response, muscles tense up — a reflex designed to protect the body from injury.

With chronic stress, this muscle tension rarely fully releases. Common consequences include:

•       Tension headaches and migraines (often caused by tightness in the muscles of the neck, scalp and shoulders)

•       Neck and shoulder pain

•       Lower back pain — one of the most common stress-related physical complaints

•       Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder — jaw pain caused by grinding or clenching teeth, which many people do unconsciously when stressed

7. The Endocrine System — Hormones Beyond Cortisol

The endocrine system is the collection of glands that produce and release hormones. Stress affects this system far beyond just adrenaline and cortisol.

•       Blood sugar regulation: Cortisol raises blood sugar (glucose) levels by prompting the liver to release stored glucose into the bloodstream. Over time, this can increase the risk of type 2 diabetes — a condition where the body cannot properly manage blood sugar levels.

•       Thyroid function: Chronic stress can suppress the thyroid gland, which regulates metabolism (the rate at which your body uses energy). This can lead to fatigue, weight gain and low mood.

•       Reproductive hormones: Stress suppresses the production of sex hormones such as oestrogen and testosterone. In women, this can cause irregular or missed periods. In men, it can reduce testosterone levels and sperm quality. Both can contribute to fertility difficulties.

Part 4 will be posted tomorrow

In the meantime, I am offering a FREE resource to help you de-stress so you can be calmer, happier and healthier. Visit the Happiness Project page to get the Stress Detox Guide for free