April 20th, 2021
How is everyone’s week going? I woke up this morning to a taste of winter with snow and cold temperatures. Winter is not my favorite season, and I can’t wait until more spring-like conditions return. Today we are going to discover the effects stress can have on our bodies. Hopefully, this will further illustrate the importance of developing a plan to manage your stress instead of letting your stress manage your life.
Last week we learned about the fight or flight stress response and how some activities of the body shut down in order to give that energy to saving our lives. Have you ever thought what other changes stress causes to your body? Let’s break it down according to systems as explained in the book, “Why zebras don’t get ulcers.”
Cardiovascular – heart rate is faster, some major arteries constrict (causing a rise in blood pressure), and your kidneys pause so that water can be reabsorbed into the circulatory system. Crazy, huh? I learn something new every day!
Metabolism – storage of energy in fat cells stops, the body uses this energy and also begins to use stored energy to aid in your crisis. Sounds great right? Not so fast! This process is not efficient as you have wasted potential energy during this process. You can also lose muscle due to the constant break down of proteins.
Digestive – as we have already discussed, digestion is shut down during stress. Ulcers (gastric, esophageal, and peptic), stomach contractions, colitis, irritable bowels, and a change in appetite are just a few of the negative effects that stress can have on our digestive system.
*Chronic stress, which is unchecked, unmanaged, ongoing stress, can lead to cardiovascular disease, heart attack, stroke, muscle atrophy and even diabetes.
I know I have asked these questions several times already and will continue to ask them, because I believe they are that important: Do you understand the importance of developing a plan to manage your stress? Have you created your stress plan?
Do you have questions on today’s topic or suggestions for future blogs? Send me a message and I promise a response!
I am so glad you tuned in this week for my blog! Do you have a friend or family member that could benefit from this blog? Tell them to subscribe!
Have a blessed week ~ Lacey