These Are The Spots In Your Body That Hold On To Stress - And How You Can Fix It

Nov 23, 2018

It's no shocker that stress negatively impacts both our physical health and mental well-being. But just how intense can these impacts be? A study conducted by Dr. Agnes Mariotti in 2015 looked into the long-term effects of continuous levels of high stress and found that it can accumulate in certain parts of the body, along with other negative physical effects.

When this happens, doctors can have a tendency to find some type of 'cure' for physical ailments when, actually, the cause lies in the psyche. Psychological ailments can often manifest physically, especially when the root cause is elevated levels of stress.

The following summarizes which areas of the body are most prone to physically exhibiting the consequences of stress.

The head is one of the first victims of stress. Many people become afflicted by headaches and even intense migraines after experiencing stressful events. This is one of the clearer physiological manifestations. When the body undergoes stress, it releases certain chemicals that negatively impact the nerves and blood vessels, straining them.

When we experience prolonged periods of intense stress, it tends to accumulate in the shoulder and neck muscles. During stressful times, people tend to inadvertently raise and flex the shoulder muscles, which in turn tightens the neck. This leads to feeling regular pain or tightness in these areas.

The stomach is another organ that is easily affected by stress. Many people report nausea or feelings of tightness in the abdominal area. Appetite can be reduced, and the increase in digestive acid can also lead to heartburn.

Tension and compression in the lower back also manifest after enduring stress, though scientists believe this phenomenon to be largely psychosomatic. Just like tensing the neck and shoulders, people often change their posture when undergoing stressful situations.

Having poor posture when sitting and/or standing can negatively affect the muscles that surround the spin, causing varying degrees of soreness and pain.

During periods of chronic stress, another internal organ can also begin to malfunction. The pancreas is responsible for insulin production and, when overstimulated due to heightened levels of stress, it can produce an excessive amount.

When this happens regularly, the arteries can become damaged. The person can also gain weight and even become more at risk of developing diabetes.

Undeniably one of the most critical organs, the heart is another major sufferer when the body (and mind) experience stress. In addition to increasing blood pressure, stress can cause long-term changes to the heart's rhythm, which can lead to a heart attack or stroke.

Some people may also notice that their oral behavior changes when stressed. Teeth-grinding is an extremely common response to stress, but, in addition to damaging the teeth, it can also impact the jaw muscles. Consistently grinding and clenching can cause tension and soreness in the chin and jaw.

The largest organ in our bodies, the state of our skin is often a make-or-break for our mood and self-confidence. When the body releases excessive amounts of stress hormones, such as cortisol, the glands in the skin being to produce more oil, blocking pores and leading to pimples, acne, breakouts, and other uncomfortable conditions.

As we age, we begin to notice more random aches, pains, and cramps in the bones, joints, and muscles. Stress only increases these symptoms. Stress is known to play a huge role in the development of anxiety and depression, both of which can manifest quite severely in these areas of the body and cause a general feeling of being unwell.

Our main defensive fortress, the health of the immune system plays a crucial role in fighting off ailments. After fighting off the negative impacts of stress by releasing counteracting chemicals, the body is actually left more susceptible to bacteria and viruses. In other words, being stressed can actually make you physically sick.

As you can see, stress not only affects our general sense of well-being: it can alter our physical health, appearance, and behavior towards ourselves and others. It can cause significant disruptions to our crucial functioning, and even lead to irreparable damage.

While we cannot always avoid stress and stressful situations, we can certainly be more aware of how to help our bodies cope with it more healthily and efficiently.

Taking time to meditate, attend yoga class, opting for a deep massage, exercising regularly, following a healthy diet, and practicing optimal hygiene are all ways to have more control over our internal functioning, leaving the body ready and prepared to respond effectively during times of extremely-hyped stress.

If you're regularly experiencing otherwise unexplainable aches and pains, it's worth a trip to the doctor to discuss what's going on in your life. Stress cannot be avoided forever, but having more control over your physical and mental response will definitely prove to be beneficial for your overall happiness and well-being.

Are the consequences of stress showing up in seemingly odd places? Do you find stress accumulating in certain parts of your body? Do you find yourself feeling 'off'? Let us know what works for you when combatting the negative effects of stress in the comments. Do you know anyone who might be dealing with a lot of stress at the moment? Then make sure you share this article with them! 

Our content is created to the best of our knowledge, yet it is of general nature and cannot in any way substitute an individual consultation by your doctor. Your health is important to us!