As I get ready to leave the house I realize I can’t find my keys. I search frantically for them. My newborn starts crying because she doesn’t like to be still while strapped in the car seat. My toddler just ran out the open front door. I grab the car seat so I can bounce it as I run out the door to make sure my toddler doesn’t run into the street. I try to bribe him with “fruit-nacks” to come back inside so mommy can look for the car keys. My phone goes off, but now I can’t find my phone. Op, and there goes a blow out from the baby.

Stress.. we all know too well what that word means.

Our bodies are programmed to respond in certain situations with stress {that’s called fight or flight}. And that’s a good thing. Fight or Flight is one of our most basic, innate survival instincts. When activated, our bodies alert to either fight the danger, or escape from it.

Our bodies are not programmed to have long-term continual stress. We need to learn how to manage our stress so the negative side effects don’t take a toll on our overall wellbeing.

Homeostasis is what we are searching for. Below is how your body gets out of homeostasis because of stress, and how to find homeostasis again.

So what happens to your body when you experience stress?

When we experience stress our adrenal gland secretes adrenaline and other hormones into the bloodstream which can:

• Increased vision, makes your pupils dilate
• Mouth becomes dry
• Increase in blood flow to the muscles, so your muscles tighten
• Heart Rate and Blood Pressure Increases
• Hearing becomes more acute
• Bronchi dilate (allowing you to take more air into your lungs)
• Liver releases more sugar into the bloodstream for energy
• Endorphins are released for Pain Management

Why?

This is all in preparation for Fight or Flight mode.

The connection between Stress and Disease

[bctt tweet=”10 ways Stress and Disease are correlated! #loweryourstress #healthyliving”]

As you read over that list, you can see the correlation of Stress and Disease! Stress is linked to over 150 diseases! If you think about it, stress is a co-factor for almost every disease out there. Here are a few:

Weight gain

• People who experience high levels of stress often find themselves gaining weight because the liver releases more levels of sugar into the bloodstream compared to a person who has a lower stress level.
• Another reason for weight gain is because often times those who experience high levels of stress respond or “cope” by overeating. Sometimes known as “Emotional Eating”. {cough, cough, yes, I fall into this category}.

Higher risk for Cardiovascular Disease

• Like Heart Attacks, High Blood Pressure, Strokes, Atherosclerosis
• THIS IS SERIOUS!! Did you know that Heart Disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women!!??

Weakened Immune System

• If your body is working at such a high level to keep “fight or flight mode” your immune system becomes compromised. Therefore, you get sick more often.

Insomnia and Fatigue

• Have you ever been so stressed about something you can’t get a good nights sleep? Yup, that’s what I’m talking about. 
• I don’t know about you, but lack of sleep makes me irritable, forgetful, and I get more headaches. I value my sleep, so I have a hard time when I lose sleep over something. 

Depression and Anxiety

• Any variation in endorphins or hormone level in your body can cause depression or anxiety.

Eating Disorders

• Stress can trigger anorexia-type, bulimic-type, or overeating, or compulsive-type  eating behaviors. 

Headaches

• Ew.. who likes headaches? 🙁 Definitely not me.

Diarrhea or Constipation

• Stress can actually mess with your digestive track. For some it causes diarrhea, others constipation

Ulcers

Reproductive issues

• Yes, increased levels of stress can decrease your chances of getting pregnant. 
• You can read more about that {HERE}

And the list goes on and on…

So, my point?? Stress and Disease are very highly correlated!! Make sure to identify what your stressors are so you can work towards lowering your daily stress.

psst… here are a few other great posts you’re going to love!