Women often juggle career, motherhood and financial responsibilities. Over time, these tasks can lead to stress. Certain experiences also increase our stress levels, such as a death in the family, divorce or financial trouble. Even a happy time like getting married or being pregnant can be stressful. It's important to recognize the signs of stress early and take steps to reduce your stress, to avoid the damage stress can do to your body.
Early Signs
At first you may feel your heart racing and your breathing rate increasing as an immediate reaction to a stressful situation. If the stress of the situation continues, your body starts to exhibit other signs of stress. Some early signs of stress are headaches, sleep and concentration problems, upset stomach and depression. These early symptoms of stress are your body's way of telling you to slow down and relax.
Mental Effects
For many women, stress can lead to certain mental disorders. Depression can occur if you have chronic stress or an inability to cope with stress. Along with depression, anxiety and irritability are commonly associated with both short- and long-term stress. Even insomnia can be caused by chronic stress and can lead to more anxiety and more stress.
Effects on the Body
Stress causes an increase in tension that can lead to headaches, joint pain and muscle aches. Women tend to hold stress in the muscles of their upper back and neck. Your digestive system also can be heavily impacted by stress, leading to diarrhea, cramping and weight gain or loss. Some effects on your body can reduce your interest in sex, increase your blood pressure and make it harder to get pregnant.
Other Effects
Your body's reaction to stress is to release the hormones adrenaline and cortisol to help prepare you to react to the situation. These hormones can cause immediate physical effects but can also cause long-term effects. Underlying conditions can be worsened by chronic stress and the release of these hormones over time. Diseases such as diabetes and heart disease can be negatively impacted by stress.
Treatment
Treatment may vary according to the degree stress has affected your life. If you just need help with day-to-day stress, lifestyle changes can reduce its negative effects. Try relaxing by doing something you love. Eat right and get daily exercise. For chronic stress, your doctor may prescribe medication to alleviate the symptoms of stress first, such as anxiety and depression, and may recommend cognitive therapy, which will help you learn to deal with stress appropriately.
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