It’s not exactly breaking news when you hear that stress is bad for you. Every day, we are constantly reminded that stress from work, money, or even our relationships, can negatively impact all sorts of aspects in our lives.
More recently, we are learning that the health impacts of stress may be far, far worse than we previously thought.
Below are just some of the ways that stress is doing damage to our health. These negative health impacts can be split into three categories:
Physical:
- Headaches
- Muscle tension
- Chest pain
- Insomnia
Mood:
- Anxiety
- Restlessness
- Lack of focus
- Sadness & depression
Behavioural:
- Poor eating habits
- Rage outbursts
- Substance abuse
- Social withdrawal
What the Research Says
With all of this cortisol running around your system, it will come as no surprise to learn that people who do not combat their high stress levels, will have much shorter lifespans in comparison to others who prioritise their well-being.
A 2015 study undertaken by researchers at Harvard and Stanford university concluded that a stressful workplace could take a staggering 33 years off your life. That is the difference from living until 57 and living until you are 90.
What You Can Do About It
Okay, now that we are done with all this negativity, let’s talk about the good things.
Let’s start with the fact that when it comes to stress, you can start making improvements literally at any time. Even better news, virtually all of the most effective ways to relieve stress are totally free and require little to no planning or effort.
Meditation of any sort has been proven to have a significant and immediate positive impact on your health. A good diet consisting of clean, nutrient rich food is also known to have a positive impact on our health. Cutting down on both stimulants (such as caffeine) and depressants (such as alcohol) is also a good idea. Moderate exercise is also probably the single most effective thing you can do to reduce high stress levels.
While making the above adjustments to your lifestyle may seem scary, it’s important to remember that these small changes will keep your mind and heart happy. Investing in your health will add so many more years to your life that you can spend alongside your loved ones and exploring the world.
