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4 serious effects stress has on your health

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It isn’t for no reason that doctors recommend getting regular exercise, as exercise liberates endorphins, the famous happiness chemicals, which chase stress away. Stress is a known trigger factor in many diseases and health conditions. So what are the serious effects of stress on our health?

1. Stress at work can reduce your life expectancy by 33 years

According to a study carried out on Americans by researchers in Stanford and Harvard, stress can lead to a reduction in life expectancy of up to 33 years!

The researchers separated the volunteers into 18 groups, depending on their country of origin, their gender and their level of education. 10 work-related factors were analysed (working hours, work-life balance, health insurance, job losses, etc.) and compared with annual mortality statistics and life expectancy in the United States.

The researchers concluded that people who underwent the highest levels of stress at work were those with low levels of education.

2. Stress increases the risk of heart disease

The causal link between work related stress and the increase in risk for cardiovascular diseases was demonstrated by a team of researchers led by doctoral professor Mika Kivimäki in 2012.

The team noticed that stress could lead to excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, poor dietary habits (notably overeating) or a lack of physical activity. All of these factors promote the development of cardiovascular illnesses, such as heart attacks, for example.

Credits: Shivmirthyu – Pixabay

3. Stress weakens the immune defenses

Stress weakens the immune defenses, notably due to factors linked to stress, such as alcohol consumption, smoking, taking medication, poor diet or the lack of physical activity.

When the immune system is less effective, it cannot protect the body from bacteria and viruses (such as the flu, bronchitis, etc.) or even from cancer.

4. Stress disrupts digestion

Some people’s digestive systems become more sensitive when they are under stress. Their digestion can become disrupted on a temporary basis.

Stress can lead to several symptoms such as:

  • gastro-oesophageal reflux
  • heartburn
  • liver problems
  • spastic colitits
  • diarrhea
  • gastric atony
  • difficulty digesting
  • bile deficiency
  • constipation, etc.

To rid stress from your life, there are various natural methods, which, combined, are very effective, such as exercise, meditation, eating a balanced diet and getting good quality sleep.

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