There are many physical and mental health conditions caused by stress. From ear issues to heart conditions, stress can take a serious toll on the brain and the body. Therefore, it is important to keep pressure to a minimum to keep many health conditions at bay. You may be able to prevent developing tinnitus, heart attacks, and other conditions if you reduce stress. To find out more about stress-caused health problems and how to prevent them, keep reading.
List of stress-caused health problems
There are numerous health conditions that being put under mental strain can lead to, whether due to a lack of sleep, energy, mood, blood level imbalance, or something else. Here are seven of them:
1. Tinnitus
Tinnitus is an issue that those who experience hearing loss can develop. When you get tinnitus, you will experience symptoms of whooshing sounds in the ear, lightheadedness, and heart palpitations.
It is a common issue among those who lead stressful lives. When a person is stressed, their blood levels will likely rise. High blood levels can cause hypertension, which can make people vulnerable to tinnitus and hearing loss.
2. Obesity as a stress-caused health problem
When a person is stressed, their adrenal glands naturally produce cortisol. Cortisol is a stress hormone, which can hinder a person’s mood, reduce their energy, and make them feel lethargic. This sluggish feeling can easily lead to obesity due to a lack of energy for exercise and concentration for making healthy meals.
Poor lifestyle choices can be caused by cortisol levels, which will occur when you are stressed. To prevent this, try to relax more and improve your lifestyle choices.
3. Heart disease
High stress levels can cause blood levels to spike, which is a key cause of heart disease. When a person is stressed, they will likely experience hypertension. When hypertension occurs, the heart becomes vulnerable to attacks and strokes.
An increase in heart rate is also common in those who are stressed, which can lead to heart complications.
Did you know dentists can identify heart disease via regular checkups? Your mouth can give indicators to your health, and as such, when you visit your dentist, not only are they able to help you support your oral health but other major conditions caused by stress too.
4. Diabetes
There is not a direct link between stress and diabetes. However, the lifestyle changes that come with stress can lead to diabetes, due to a high blood sugar level.
For instance, when a person becomes sluggish, gets little or no exercise, and makes poor diet choices, this can lead to high blood sugar levels. These lifestyle choices can be triggered by the pressure they feel under, as already discussed. Thus, stress could cause a spike in blood sugar levels and, from there, diabetes.
5. Alzheimer’s disease
Neurological diseases have a close link with stress as they both involve the brain. A common neurological disease caused by stress is Alzheimer’s disease.
Stress can hinder memory and thinking skills, which can lead to a degeneration of the brain. When the brain lacks these skills, it becomes vulnerable to the condition.
6. Gastrointestinal problems
Stress can have a direct impact on the stomach too. When a person experiences stomach issues, stress can make the symptoms worse.
Exposing yourself to stress can cause a link between the brain and the gut. It can cause inflammation, which can cause pain or lead to a worse GI condition.
7. Headaches
When a person is stressed, there is a lot of tension put on the brain. Thus, headaches can occur.
You might also get migraines, which is a medical condition that requires medication to manage. To keep headaches and migraines away, try to find ways to deal with stress and remove extra burdens from your life, if possible.
How to reduce stress-caused health problems
Reducing stress is essential for good mental and physical health. Some people find it difficult to manage and reduce stress, while others seem to be able to find solutions with greater ease. Either way, it is important to know how to efficiently reduce stress to keep health conditions far away.
Sleep
Sleep can be one of the most effective ways to reduce stress. A lack of sleep can hinder a person’s mood and restrict their energy levels, which can lead to a low tolerance and poor lifestyle choices.
Most people benefit from seven or eight hours of sleep per night. This amount of time ensures that the mind and body get enough rest, which can reduce the risk of obesity, heart disease, and headaches.
Exercise
Exercise helps a person release endorphins and increase serotonin levels. Serotonin is a hormone that people often call the happiness hormone.
It will make a person feel happier and reduce stress. Around 30 minutes of exercise every day will be enough to get the blood flow pumping and encourage the release of serotonin.
Better food choices
Poor food choices can reduce energy and hinder a person’s mood. Foods associated with causing stress include those high in saturated fat, sugar, and refined carbohydrates. Choosing complex carbs, lean protein sources, and natural sugars will offer you better physical and mental health, in most cases, but see your doctor to make sure you’re doing what’s best for you.
Do more of what you love
One of the best ways to reduce stress-caused health problems is by participating in things that you love more often. Whether that be to walk, read, paint, or socialize, do what you need to feel happy and more content.
The happier you are, the less vulnerable to stress you will be. That applies to your career as much as your personal life. If your calling is to be a travel nurse, for example, pursue it by applying at Stability Healthcare for the best positions.
Take breaks to combat stress-caused health problems
For those that lead a busy lifestyle, it can be easy to let those commitments overtake your time. You must take regular breaks in order to recuperate energy and combat stress.
If you overwork your mind and body, you will be more vulnerable to tough times when they come your way. Thus, committing to breaks and allowing yourself to have downtime will be better for your physical and mental health.
Communicate more
Letting out your thoughts, feelings, and emotions is a great way to release stress. When you feel overwhelmed, find someone who you can confide in and let them know how you feel.
Not only will letting it take a weight off of your shoulders, but it may also help you find advice. Seeking advice from a loved one might be what you need to make better lifestyle choices, combat stress, and reduce the risk of being vulnerable to health conditions.
Talking is therapy! It’s no wonder it’s a great way to relieve mental stress.
Wonderful ideas and tips, Christy… :)