There are a number of different effects of stress on the body. The responses which we have physically to stress over the short term have been extensively documented, while the long term effects are less completely understood. Research continues into how we react to stress, with much more being known now than even a short time ago.

At the physical level, stress is what happens when we are faced with a problem. It is often called the ‘fight or flight’ reflex. The hormone adrenaline is pumped around our body in large quantities to make us able to act quickly, either to fight off the danger or to run away from it. The heart beats faster, breathing quickens, our muscles tense and our senses are on red alert. Most animals have some form of this response.

The process begins in the hypothalamus, a gland in the brain. The endocrine system is unable to distinguish between different kinds of stress, but the levels of hormones released will vary depending on the severity of the stress and how imminent the danger is perceived to be.

The sympathetic nervous system and the endocrine glands receive a signal from the brain and then fill the body with the stress hormones. These hormones include adrenaline, cortisol and norepinephrine. These are our bodies’ equivalent of putting “all hands on deck”.

The increase in heart rate allows more blood to reach our large muscle groups so that we are prepared to run faster or fight harder. In order to reduce bleeding in case of injury, the blood vessels close to the surface of the skin constrict and our blood sugar levels spike to give us more energy and a faster reaction time.

During this time, our reproductive and digestive systems slow down, as does the flow of growth hormones and the immune system.

When we are confronting a real physical danger, this response is very useful. It improves our chances of surviving the situation.

Most of the stressful situations we face do not have to do with facing off against predatory animals, however. Instead, these stimuli are more likely to be along the lines of deadlines at work or in other situations where fight or flight is usually not the best response.

When we have this response and do not have to actually respond in a “fight or flight” fashion, then the physical effects linger. In many case, this lasts until the next stressful stimulus comes up.

The result is that many of us spend the greater part of each day in a state of stress, with physical tension, an overworked heart and unnecessary amounts of adrenaline constantly in our system. The long term effects can be varied and serious. They can result from the overworked circulatory system or the unresponsive digestive, reproductive and immune systems, and can cause anything from migraine to a heart attack, depending on our susceptibilities.

The effects of stress on the body are harmful to our cardiovascular system and keep our immune system from doing its job properly ? it’s no mystery why people get sick so often these days!