The impact of stress

Stress is something we have all experienced at some point in our lives. Some people experience more stress than others but it is the way we manage stress that is very important to our health. When we are stressed our body produces a hormone called cortisol. Cortisol is the stress hormone secreted from the adrenal glands to counteract stressful situations. We may be stressed at work having to meet deadlines and never being able to get away, we may be constantly stressed at home from the children, being pushed and pulled in all directions, having demands and not having the time to relax.  Many factors and situations cause stress and have a big impact on our well-being.

“I need to relax”

The impact of stress

Small amounts of stress keep us alert and are useful in certain situations but too much stress over prolonged periods can be harmful. When our body produces too much cortisol from prolonged stress our arteries become narrow,  increasing the heart rate leading to hypertension. Too much cortisol increases glucose levels removing the stored energy from our muscles and liver increasing the production of insulin. This can create mood swings and the feeling of lethargy.  Insulin is the hormone responsible for controlling blood sugar levels and is also responsible for storing excess body fat.

Stress manifests itself in many different ways and can have a detrimental effect on our overall health and well-being.

“Get me out of here”

Manage your stress