Stress-Too Much Us Bad For You

Another blog post from Ann Arbor chiropractor Mike Tannenbaum, D.C.: Stress –Too Much is Bad for You.


We all experience stress. Some stress is good for you, and scientists even call this “eustress.” However, too much stress negatively affects your health. It can actually cause poor health, and even death.


Let’s look at some of the things too much stress can do to the different systems of your body.


Digestive System: Can cause problems ranging from irritable bowel syndrome to worsening ulcers. Other issues include upset stomach, nausea, constipation, diarrhea, heartburn, and loss of appetite.


Cardiovascular System: High blood pressure, stroke, heart attack.


Respiratory System: Increased breathing rate (or hyperventilating), difficulty breathing.


Immune System: Increases chance of infections; decreases ability to fight off infections.


Musculoskeletal System (bones and muscles): Muscle tightness, joint and tissue pain and swelling, slows down bone and muscle healing.


Central Nervous System: Foggy thinking, anxiety, depression, decreased mental acuity, irritability, insomnia, hypersomnia (excessive sleep), and headaches.


Excess stress leads to the “fight or flight” response. For so many in our modern societies, we are so stressed that we are nearly always in “fight or flight” mode, and it takes a toll on our health. We need to dial it down and spend time in “tend and befriend” mode – the opposite of fight or flight. Tend and befriend increases levels of beneficial hormones and represents a more relaxed state. Ultimately, a balance in your life is a good goal to aim for.


As you can see, too much stress is bad for you. Try to minimize the stress you experience. Try to avoid stressful situations and work to mentally tamp down your stress level when confronted with a stressful situation. There are many ways to learn to do this.


If you have any questions about this blog post, chiropractic, back pain, neck pain, or headaches, I can be reached at my Ann Arbor, Michigan, chiropractic office at [email protected].

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