Stress and Your Health

Level 1

Stress and your physical health
It's great that you are taking the first step toward controlling your stress.

• In a moment, I'll talk about exactly how stress affects your health.
• Before attempting to identify the source of your stress, try to appreciate the health risks of chronic, unmanaged stress.
• Let's talk about how stress hurts your body.

Stress and risk of disease

Studies have not linked stress directly with the risk of acquiring any specific illness. However:

• Increased stress may be associated with the immune system and problems with weight management.
• Chronic stress leads to high levels of cortisol, a stress hormone.

Good and bad stress
In general, there are two types of stress:

• Good stress: A certain amount of stress is necessary to motivate people to perform and succeed. This type of stress is good for the body and can energize people.
• Bad stress: Bad stress is the type that causes anxiety, worry and distress. This type can often feel overwhelming and can lead to depression.

Cortisol

• Cortisol is called the "stress" hormone because it prepares the body for short-term stress.
• Cortisol affects the immune system and blood pressure.
• Having high levels of cortisol for a long time, such as in chronic stress, may make your body's defense system weaker.
• This could lead to more susceptibility to colds or make other conditions worse.

Adrenaline
Stress may contribute indirectly to heart disease and stroke.

• Adrenaline is another hormone involved in the stress response.
• Unlike cortisol, adrenaline is involved with only the short-term fight or flight response.
• Adrenaline helps the body prepare for danger.
• Increased heart rate and blood pressure are among the effects of adrenaline.

High blood pressure

• Frequent adrenaline and cortisol secretion may be linked with high blood pressure, also known as "hypertension."
• If not managed with diet, exercise or medication, hypertension raises the risk for heart disease and stroke.
• Stress management has been shown to help lower blood pressure. This can help improve survival following a heart attack.

Dealing with stress
To deal with stress, do the following:

• Breathe deeply
• Talk to friends
• Try to relax
• Meditate
• Exercise

I'll be showing you how to deal with stress so that you can live a healthy life.

CHRIS, do you know how stress affects your body?