How does stress affect your health?

Experts say stress influences nearly every system of the body, with immediate effects and long-term consequences. Short-term stress activates the sympathetic nervous system and releases hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol, increasing heart rate and blood pressure and sharpening focus. Chronic stress, researchers warn, sustains elevated cortisol and promotes inflammation, which is linked to heart disease, diabetes, depression and impaired immune function.

Dr. Laura Bennett, a clinical psychologist at the American Psychological Association, explained that chronic stress alters sleep, appetite and memory. “Prolonged stress reshapes brain circuits involved in learning and mood,” she said, citing longitudinal studies showing higher risk of anxiety disorders and cognitive decline. Cardiologists at major centers report that sustained stress contributes to hypertension and atherosclerosis by fostering unhealthy behaviors — smoking, poor diet and physical inactivity — and by direct biological pathways.

Public health data indicate that unmanaged stress increases susceptibility to infections and slows wound healing. Endocrinologists note metabolic harms, including weight gain and insulin resistance, especially when stress promotes comfort eating. Occupational health researchers link job strain to absenteeism and reduced productivity, with tangible economic impacts.

To mitigate harms, experts recommend evidence-based interventions: psychotherapy, stress-management training, regular exercise, sufficient sleep and social support. Mindfulness-based therapies and cognitive behavioral therapy have demonstrated benefits for reducing physiological markers of stress. Physicians advise patients to discuss persistent stress with their providers so care can be individualized.

Reporting emphasizes that while stress is a normal response, its chronic presence can be hazardous. The consensus among clinicians and researchers is clear: addressing stress proactively improves health outcomes and quality of life.

Dr. Samuel Kim, a cardiologist at a major university medical center, noted that routine screening for stress-related symptoms and measurable biomarkers can guide treatment. He urged employers and clinicians to prioritize prevention and accessible mental health services. Urgently.