Stress does more than affect a person’s emotions and overall mental state. It also manifests physically, resulting in symptoms that can cause more stress without the proper care. Here, learn how stress affects your health and what family doctors routinely recommend to manage it.

How Does Stress Affect You?

No two people react to stress the exact same way; however, it can contribute to a variety of physical symptoms. Prolonged periods of stress can make it difficult to fall and stay asleep, resulting in insomnia and fatigue. Many people feel the effects of stress in their stomachs and experience pain, diarrhea, nausea, and constipation because they have issues digesting food. The release of stress hormones also causes the blood vessels to constrict, creating high blood pressure. Hypertension increases the risk of stroke, heart disease, and heart attack.

Immunity weakens from serious stress, making colds and other infections more likely and frequent. Other stress-related physical symptoms include decreased fertility, headaches, muscle aches and pains, teeth grinding, dry mouth, low sex drive, and erectile dysfunction.

What Are Some Healthy Ways To Reduce Stress?

There are many healthy ways to reduce your stress and help your body overall. Talk to your family doctor about management options such as a new exercise routine, as physical activity floods the brain with endorphins and other feel-good chemicals. It also provides a healthy outlet for anxiety and irritation while toning the muscles to improve self-esteem and helping you enjoy restful nights of sleep.

Other healthy stress management options include deep breathing exercises that instantly lower blood pressure and relax the mind. Meditation also promotes healthy breath work and feelings of peace and tranquility. Many people find that walking in nature, such as on designated hiking trails with family and friends, helps refresh the mind and mood. 

Talk to the family doctors at HDR Healthcare Network about more holistic approaches to stress management. The medical center specializes in internal, senior, urgent, and home health care services for residents throughout the Bronx, Manhattan, area of New York City. Call the family doctors today at (929) 256-5005 to make an appointment.