Chronic stress can put a serious strain on your physical, mental, and emotional health. Prolonged periods of high stress can even heighten your chances of developing a condition like heart disease and may raise your risk of catching a cold or flu.
However, it’s easy to overlook chronic stress if you’re a busy, goal-oriented professional. Stress has become normalized in society, as 60% of people say they have felt so stressed that they “could not cope or deal with things” in the past year. A better understanding of the causes of your chronic stress may help you pivot towards healthier habits and could help you become more resilient in the long run.
Symptoms of Chronic Stress
Millions of people are living with chronic stress, but few know how to see the signs of stress on the body. This is a serious issue, as you’re unlikely to take proactive steps to control your stress levels if you have normalized fatigue and anxiety. Symptoms of chronic stress include:
- Headaches and dizziness;
- Muscle strain;
- Digestive issues;
- Chest pain, elevated heart rate;
- Sexual problems.
Chronic stress can cause a flare-up of conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). This sentiment is echoed by research that appears in The World Journal of Gastroenterology, which shows that those who experience prolonged periods of heightened stress can exaggerate issues related to digestion. This, researchers say, proves that conditions like IBS are “stress-sensitive disorders,” which require proper stress management to improve symptoms.
Left unchecked, chronic stress can lead to burnout. While burnout is typically seen as a psychological condition, burnout can also cause physical fatigue and may heighten your risk of developing:
- High blood pressure;
- Sleep disorders;
- Poor immune function.
Developing these symptoms can undermine your physical health and may lead to a downward spiral of poor health, heightened stress, and reduced resiliency. Breaking this pattern can be extremely challenging if you work in an environment where you struggle to get enough rest and recovery.
Sickness
Overcoming fatigue can feel impossible when you’re swamped with demanding deadlines and work in a high-pressure environment. Failing to get enough rest raises your cortisol levels which, in the long-term, results in a raised risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and common colds. However, getting a handle on work-related stress is crucial if you want to avoid sickness and ill health.
Finding ways to reduce your workload while juggling multiple responsibilities is crucial if you want to protect your health and improve your immune system. You can take control of your workload and reduce your stress by:
- Delegating some of your responsibilities to folks who have the bandwidth and skills to succeed;
- Improve your time management with tech and tools that help you stay on task;
- Embrace automation and use software like project management programs to automatically tag and alter existing tasks;
- Use time-blocking techniques to get more done in a single day.
Taking control of your work life can reduce your risk of illness and help you get ahead of demanding deadlines. This can make a world of difference if you’re regularly falling ill and feel as though you can’t catch up with deadlines. Even simple steps, like delegating tasks to folks who work with you, can help you catch your breath and return to work with an energized positive outlook.
Skin
Stress has a serious impact on your long-term health and physical well-being. However, it can also cause short-term disruptions to your skin’s health and may lead to a flare-up of symptoms like acne, eczema, and inflammation. Research shows that prolonged stress can cause skin to age prematurely, too. Additionally, folks with high stress may be at a greater risk of developing psoriasis and atopic dermatitis.
If you develop a skin condition, you should speak to a medical professional for treatment. Primary care providers may be able to offer a range of medication and therapeutic treatments designed to help folks overcome stress and manage the symptoms of their skin condition.
You should also consider speaking to your doctor about ways to manage your chronic stress. Depending on the type of skin condition you’ve developed, your doctor may suggest a range of activities that will reduce your risk of future flair-ups. For example, if your condition is temporarily under control, you may want to consider investing in a hot tub for hydrotherapy. Hot tubs improve your physical wellness by:
- Reducing stress;
- Easing anxiety;
- Enhancing sleep quality;
- Alleviating joint and muscle pain.
These changes can meaningfully improve your wellness and help you get ahead of conditions related to chronic stress. Just be sure to speak to a doctor before taking a dip, lest long periods in warm water worsen your skin condition.
Conclusion
Chronic stress interferes with your physical health and may lead to long-term conditions like hypertension, muscle pain, IBS, and poor immune function. Learning how to deal with stress is crucial if you want to balance your professional goals with your wellness, as proactive steps like delegation and taking time off can make a world of difference. Just be sure to speak with a doctor if you suspect you’ve developed chronic stress, as they’ll be able to suggest stress-busting activities like hydrotherapy and mindfulness.
