Last updated on October 31st, 2024 at 12:09 pm
Stress affects each of us nearly every day. Sitting in traffic, dealing with a difficult person, or having overdue bills. Whatever the stressor, you may notice your heart starts to race, your breath may quicken, and you may even start to sweat. Imagine the impact on your health if you felt stress like this every day for months or years, otherwise known as chronic stress. Read below to learn what is toxic stress, ways to reset your body from chronic stress, and its impact on overall health.
What is Chronic Stress?
A better question may be “What is toxic stress?” This type of long-term stress can have harmful effects on overall health. Not all stress is toxic, so you may ask what is toxic stress versus other types of stress. Experts suggest that chronic stress can result from situations like poverty, a dysfunctional relationship with a partner or family situation, or being in a job that is unfulfilling or in a toxic environment.
This is much different from other types of stressors like running late for work, being in a fender bender, or losing your wallet. Chronic stress is the response your body has to long-term stressors. This long-term response puts your body in a state of high alert, or “fight or flight mode” for several months or longer. Such an extended physiological response can place your overall health in harm’s way.
How Does Chronic (or Toxic) Stress Impact Health?
According to health experts at Yale Medicine, chronic stress can lead to an array of physical symptoms over time which include:
- muscle and joint aches and pains
- insomnia
- weakness
- low energy
- change in appetite
Along with physical symptoms, chronic stress can also lead to a lack of focus, social isolation, emotional withdrawal, and brain fog. Not to mention that chronic stress can sometimes lead to increased intake of harmful substances like drugs and alcohol or excessive intake of food.
In turn, such symptoms and behavior changes over time can increase the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes, among other things. What is toxic stress according to the American Psychological Association? Toxic or chronic stress is a condition that can lead to anxiety, depression, as well as high blood pressure and/or a weakened immune system.
So, you may be wondering how to reset your body from chronic stress like this to help improve your health. Keep reading to learn about supplements and lifestyle behaviors that can help.
How to Reset Your Body from Chronic Stress
Now that you know how to answer the question of ‘what is toxic stress?,’ or chronic stress, you can identify if this is something that may be impacting your health. In turn, you can now do something to help reset your body and heal from chronic stress.
If your chronic stress started after a traumatic event in life or as a result of a dysfunctional relationship or family life, expert help is best. It can help to contact an experienced therapist or psychological counselor to help you work through such issues. Such talk therapy can also help with addictive behaviors and with managing stressful work or financial situations.
Chronic Stress Management Tips
Along with therapy, it is vital to have a support system such as family and/or friends you can talk with about your stress. Other stress management tips that health experts from Mayo Clinic suggest include:
- Eating a healthy, balanced diet.
- Staying active as much as possible, especially outside in the fresh air if you have a safe place to do so.
- Volunteering in your community to help you feel purpose in life.
- Delegating tasks at home so you can find time for engaging in hobbies, reading a book, watching uplifting or funny movies, or time to engage in relaxation breathing or meditation.
- Keeping a journal so you can have an outlet for your feelings as well as remind yourself things you are grateful for in life.
- Try to sleep at least seven to nine hours a night.
In addition to such tips, you can also try certain dietary supplements that contain compounds that may help your body better manage stress.
Dietary Supplements to Help Fight Chronic Stress
Nordic Naturals Stress Relief Gummies: This supplement contains ashwagandha extract, which shows promise to help relax the body and mind. And with no artificial colorings, flavors, or preservatives, and a delicious mixed berry flavor profile, this convenient gummy can fit into any healthy lifestyle.
Ortho Molecular Adren-All: This supplement is formulated to help support the adrenal system. This product contains adaptogens like schisandra berry extract and eleuthero root extract to help enhance the body’s stress response. And with a variety of vitamins like A, C, and B vitamins like pantothenic acid, this supplement helps support adrenal health and energy levels, which together can help improve your stress resilience over time.
NutriDyn Stress Essentials Balance: This supplement is a potent herbal extract blend designed to help support healthy adrenal function. Adaptogens like cordyceps, ashwagandha extract, and Asian ginseng root, among other compounds help support the body’s response to stress so you can help reduce the harmful impact of life’s stresses on your health.
No matter what stress you face, the advice above can help you become better equipped to face it while reducing the impact it will have on the health of your body and mind. So, what are you waiting for? Take that first step towards a less stressful life today.
- Ways to Reset Your Body from Chronic Stress - October 22, 2024