How Stress Affects Your Body – and What You Can Do About It
- arfbaba73
- Nov 30
- 2 min read
Stress is more than just a feeling – it affects your body on a deep level. In this post, I explain the physiological effects of stress and show you concrete strategies to manage it, promoting your health and resilience.
Stress impacts our bodies in many ways. It activates the sympathetic nervous system, triggering the so-called "fight-or-flight response." Heart rate and blood pressure increase, breathing becomes faster, and stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline are released.
While this response can be helpful in acute situations, chronic stress leads to these systems becoming overloaded. Symptoms such as insomnia, headaches, muscle tension, and a weakened immune system can result.
In the long term, the risk of cardiovascular diseases and mental health issues like anxiety disorders or depression increases.
In my own story, I experienced how stress can affect the body. During my time as a police officer, I was often exposed to extreme stress. I remember a particularly stressful case where I had to inform the parents of a deceased young man. The emotional burden and physical tension felt overwhelming.
It was only years later that I learned to better process these experiences and proactively manage stress.
To cope with stress, I use the following methods both personally and in my work with clients:
Breathing Exercises: Just a few minutes of conscious breathing techniques like the 4-7-8 method can activate the parasympathetic nervous system and lower stress levels.
Physical Activity: Regular exercise, whether walking, yoga, or more intense workouts, helps reduce stress hormones.
Healthy Nutrition: A balanced diet with plenty of vegetables, whole grains, and omega-3 fatty acids supports the body in better managing stress.
Sleep: Sleep is essential for the regeneration of body and mind. Routines like a fixed bedtime or avoiding screen time before bed can improve sleep quality.
Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT): I often use this method with clients to release emotional blockages and reduce stress.
These strategies are based on scientific findings and have proven effective in my work with clients. If you suffer from stress, start with small, manageable changes that can have a significant impact over time.
Are you ready to reduce your stress and improve your quality of life? Let's work on it together – book a coaching session with me today!
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