Promoting Healthy Body and Mind – effects that stress has on the body. Article by Marion Leslie

 

In this article, my intention is to discuss what is often referred to as “mind/body connection”; in other words, the way the body responds to the way we think, feel and act. There are many ways the body can react to extreme stress: Back pain; Chest pain; Constipation or Diarrhoea; Insomnia; High Blood Pressure; Weight gain (comfort eating) or loss; Headaches..the list goes on.

 

What is psychological stress? Stress can affect anyone, and refers to emotional reactions experienced by an individual when confronted with a situation in which there is a demand to go beyond their own coping mechanisms, for example: death of a loved one, abuse, health problems, also a financial crisis.

 

Stress can affect the body dramatically. The body responds to stress by releasing hormones, for example Adrenaline and Cortisol; these are produced in order to help a person react to a situation with speed. However, although this biological process, which increases blood pressure, heart rate, and blood sugar levels, can be beneficial, in terms of helping us to be alert and improving performance. Chronic high levels of stress are thought to be harmful, for example by causing mental health problems such as anxiety and depression, also various physical health problems.

The following is information from Cancer research UK: 

Stress and cancer

 

Many people believe that stress can cause cancer, particularly breast cancer. But the evidence for this has been poor. Stressful events can alter the levels of hormones in the body and affect the immune system. But there is no evidence that these changes could lead to cancer.

Most scientific studies have found that stress does not increase the risk of cancer. One study had even found that high stress levels can actually reduce the risk of breast cancer, by lowering oestrogen levels. And even in the event that stress and cancer are linked, the effects would be very small compared to other factors such as lifestyle, age or family history.

Problems with earlier studies

The studies that have linked stress and cancer have had flawed designs, including very small numbers of participants. Often, people with cancer were asked to recall if they were stressed before they developed their disease. But these people are likely to overestimate their past problems to try and explain their condition, or because cancer itself is very stressful.

Stress is also difficult to define and people can have different views on what they would consider to be stressful. And many studies looked at stress out of context. They ignored things that would affect how someone deals with stress like support from friends and family.

Studies which have specifically tried to address these issues have concluded that stress is not linked to cancer.

(Cancer Research UK)

 

As a counsellor, a significant proportion of my work is working with clients who have chronic illness, indeed, many of the symptoms that are experienced are either exacerbated by, or caused by stress. Also my professional experience has informed me that another significant stressor for many people is that of being a caregiver. I have found that as caregivers, my clients have experienced extended periods of stress, which have resulted in significant harm to their health.

 

So, it feels important at this point to look at ways of being able to help yourself, at least in the short term, to counteract symptoms of stress or panic. It may be helpful to: breathe in deeply through your nose, and out through your mouth. If you remain calm and concentrate on your breathing, you should start to feel better as the level of carbon dioxide in your blood returns to normal. If you are suffering frequent panic attacks, it would be advisable to seek medical advice, in order to rule out any underlying physical cause.