How often have you experienced that strange discomfort that your body feels, but you are not exactly sure what has been going on?
Perhaps you have been struggling with non-stop headaches, or your digestion has been under the weather for weeks.
Maybe you simply believe you are getting older, or you just have been too busy, but what if something more alarming is at play?
Chronic stress does not necessarily present itself openly and in a visible form.
The tell-tale symptoms of heavy stress that most people would anticipate include a panic attack or nervous breakdown, which is not the case when it comes to chronic stress.
It manifests itself in your body in a way that you may not have anticipated.
Here’s What Happens
Your body begins to respond in other ways when chronic stress is a regular occurrence in your life.
These reactions may have different forms:
- Headaches or migraines that are chronic in nature. They can appear without any forewarning.
- Certain gastrointestinal problems. These can be bloating or any form of upset stomach.
- Muscle tension. It can be in your neck and shoulders and has no discernible cause.
- Sleep deprivation or sleep where you can hardly fall or maintain sleep.
- Colds also become more common due to your poor immunity.
These are actual symptoms of stress. They are not fabricated or exaggerated.
Why We Miss the Connection
We miss the connection between stress and these symptoms due to the fact that we are not connecting the dots.
Each person focuses on their own discrete symptoms like headaches, gastrointestinal symptoms, and sleep problems. They each see a different doctor for each condition.
We have adjusted to the state of low-level stress all the time, and it can change the idea of normalcy.
You can begin to believe that you are supposed to feel tired, and that strain and stress are just normal aspects of everyday life.
And that is the point when chronic stress turns into your norm; you no longer realize it is the main issue.
The Bidirectional Mind-Body Connection
There is a continuous cycle of communication between the mind and the body.
Each time your mind senses a threat (pressure), your body releases molecules of stress (cortisol and adrenaline). For a short period of time, this response is useful.
But when stress becomes chronic?
- Those hormones keep cycling through your body
- Your heart rate stays up
- Your muscles are overly tight
- Your body’s digestive systems slow down
What started as a pattern of discomfort accumulates and becomes chronic body pain. Minor fatigue and permanent exhaustion (non-rest) become your new normal.
Small Changes You Should Start Making
Healing can begin once stress is recognized.
You aren’t working through five separate challenges. You are working through one challenge that is presenting itself in five separate ways.
The following steps are not to be overlooked:
- Keep note of your symptoms
- Make time in your schedule to do some deep breathing exercises for five minutes each day
- Have a work-life balance
- Engage in physical activity on a regular basis
- Seek out the company of someone who understands the connection between the mind and the body
Get Support
If you have been dealing with inexplicable symptoms, it may be a good time to look at the situation more comprehensively.
A holistic health care provider can assist you in connecting the dots.
At Wade’s Care First, we can help. We provide culturally sensitive care. We invest the necessary time to understand your situation in detail and collaborate with you to make sustainable improvements.
We also provide same-day appointments in Florida, Arizona, New York and Indiana.
Book a consultation with Wade’s Care First. Find out how dealing with chronic stress will positively change your health and your quality of life.
FAQs
Can stress really provoke pain that you can feel in your body?
Yes, chronic stress leads to the release of stress hormones that can result in:
- Muscle tension
- Inflammation
Pain responses are triggered by your body in a different way
How long does it take to see improvements after stress is addressed?
Changes can be noticeable to many within a few weeks after the introduction of stress management techniques, though, due to the chronic stress, everyone’s timeline varies.
