Informative Essay: How Stress Affects Health

Berkeley Rebman

LA-Research Paper

April 30, 2017 Stress is something all people battle with, some more severe than others. Stress, by definition, is a physical, chemical, or emotional factor that causes bodily, or mental tension (Merriam Webster Dictionary). We experience stress when things are not going perfectly. Long term stress can severely affect our health, bodies, and brains. Although while we are stressed we may think there is no way to escape the problem, we can solve the issue. Stress is a very common problem people have to handle with.

People experience stress due to their job, financial issues, and their families. There are many causes of stress but the leading cause is money (SunTrust). People experience stress from work

Many affects are harmful to your well-being. When stressed, your body's liver produces extra glucose, also known as blood sugar, which gives you a boost of energy. Under chronic stress, your body may not be able to hold all this extra glucose. This leads to a higher risk in developing type 2 diabetes. Issues with the digestive system, are the most common health concern with stress (Pietrangelo). Heart disease, high blood pressure, chest pain, and an irregular heartbeat can be elements of health issues. Stress is also another cause of bad acne (Lehnardt). Chronic stress can increase the risk of you getting Alzheimer's or Dementia (Alban). People are usually very tired when they are stressed. Your health can be heavily affected by

Meditation is a way to avoid experiencing stress. Deep breathing, yoga, Tai Chi, and getting a massage are forms of meditation that help dodge stress. When we have stress, our breathing, pulse rate, metabolism, and blood pressure increase (Stöppler). When we use a form of meditation, they decrease. Another way to meditate to avoid stress is to sit quietly and breathe in and out while repeating a word. Doing this for 10-20 minutes daily will increase your quality of life and reduce stress. We can use forms of meditation to avoid stress.

Another way to manage stress is to exercise. There are many benefits from exercising while stressed. Any physical activity raises the production of endorphins, which are your brain's neurotransmitters that make you feel good. After a fast paced game or activity, you will begin to notice that you have forgotten about everything that aggravated you that day. Exercise has also been proven to put you in a better mood (Mayo Clinic Staff). Exercise is a great way to improve your life and cope with