The body’s fight-or-flight system releases stress hormones, including adrenaline and cortisol, that cause the body to stay aware and ready to respond to potentially dangerous situations.
While stress is a usual part of everyday life, it can sometimes cause a variety of unpleasant symptoms that we’re quick to attribute to other ailments. However, there are some key ways your body might be telling you to relax.
While per day an average person loses 100 to 200 strands of hair, high-stress levels can cause hair loss in clumps for up to three months, says Dr. Richard Granstein, the George W. Hambrick, Jr. Professor and chair of the Israel Englander Department of Dermatology at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York City.
This phenomenon, medically referred to as telogen effluvium, causes many hair follicles to simultaneously enter a resting phase and suddenly fall out of the scalp, says Granstein.
Severe stress can cause destruction to the digestive system and send you running to the restroom, says, Dr. Maged Rizk, a gastroenterologist at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio.
For example, strong emotions — such as fear and anxiety — impact the brain’s limbic system, which sends signals to the organs within the gastrointestinal tract. The result can be diarrhea, nausea, irritable bowel syndrome and even vomiting, depending on which organ is provoked.
Stress often disturbs sleep, leading to difficulties falling asleep, staying asleep, or experiencing restful sleep, says Michelle Turk, a marriage and family therapist.
In turn, those sleep disturbances can lead to mood changes, including feeling more irritable or exhausted.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests that people get seven or more hours of sleep a night, which may be difficult to come by if you’re feeling stressed. Not getting enough sleep can raise your risk for a surprising number of health issues, including diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease, among others.
Stress is known to instigate a variety of skin ailments, ranging from acne and hives to rashes, says Granstein.
Acne is somewhat caused by the stress hormone cortisol, which sends the skin’s oil-producing glands into overdrive. Stress is also associated with hive outbreaks and skin conditions, such as psoriasis and rosacea.
When we’re stressed, scratches and cuts tend to be there longer than usual. That’s because, during periods of stress, the body draws moisture away from the skin’s outer layers, which hampers the healing process.
As a result, a wound that would usually get better in about a week may take more time to heal. For most skin wounds, you should daily clean them with mild soap and then cover them with petroleum jelly and a clean bandage.
It’s easy to blame your lack of focus on today’s fast-paced world and never-ending distractions. We all seem to have the attention span of a gnat. However, stress can affect your brain’s ability to concentrate and focus, says Turk. In turn, problems concentrating can lead to further feelings of frustration and make your stress-related mood changes even more difficult.
If you’re having a hard time concentrating, it is advisable to try stress-reduction techniques in addition to focus and concentration techniques, like the Pomodoro method, or not using your phone, while you work.
High stress levels are connected to asthma and other breathing difficulties, says Dr. Stephen Tilley, an associate professor of medicine at the University of North Carolina. Patients hospitalized for asthma attacks, mostly report that they feel stress before the episode.
If you have unexplained trouble breathing, seek medical advice immediately.
If your eyes feel dry or your vision is suddenly blurry, pause before blaming a change in your eyesight. Stress could be the cause as it can hamper your body’s circulation. That can lead to less blood flow to areas including the eyes, brain, and skin, says Dr. Cynthia Ackrill, a primary care physician in North Carolina.
However, stress can also cause your pupils to dilate — your body’s way of preparing you to stare down a predator — which can result in blurred vision. Stress may also cause your eyelids to twitch, but these involuntary eye movements, called myokymia, generally go on their own as your body calms down.
We all experience stress in our lives, many of us daily in today’s hectic world. But the goal is to learn how to manage it so it doesn’t become overwhelming.
How to cope with stress
Have a good set of friends and family who can provide positive support and encouragement. Aim for regular physical activity. Federal guidelines suggest 150 minutes a week of average, heart-pumping exercise, which you could break down into 30 minutes, five times a week. If you’re new to exercise, you can start gradually. Even after every meal, a 10-minute walk can make a change in your physical and mental health.
Practice deep breathing and relaxation exercises. Including meditation and guided imagery. To get a good relaxation a warm shower may help. Try to organize things you need to get done by prioritizing them. Be realistic about what you can get done, and keep some time for self-care.
If you are experiencing too much stress, consult a healthcare provider or a mental health professional.
