Stress Management: How Stress Affects Energy

Image provided by Bhernandez
Stress is a big problem for many of us because it is everywhere and hard to control. Stress can affect us physically and mentally, and is one of the main reasons why we get fatigued. Chronic stress is one of the worst types of stress and seems never ending. Chronic stress can occur because of bad marriages, debt, sleeping disorders, drug and alcohol addictions, eating disorders, etc. Because stress is impossible to prevent, it is better to manage it and reduce it as much as possible.

When we are stressed out, our bodies go through chemical changes which can cause us to feel tensed, exhausted, fatigued, depressed and agitated. Stress has been known to cause changes in our eating habits by disrupting our digestive systems and restricting their abilities to absorb vital nutrients. With less nutrients, our bodies have a harder time healing themselves which can lead to certain health problems.

Eating disorder is a big problem when it comes to chronic stress. If left undone it can deprive us of energy and destroy our health. Anorexia and Bulimia are two of the biggest stress related eating disorders because many of the individuals adopt disordered eating behaviors as a way to help them cope with stress.

Anorexia disrupts the body’s energy by taking away its main source of fuel which is food. With less food the body starts to rely on stored fat for energy. Once the stored fat is used up, the body turns to muscle for energy. At this point, organs will start to malfunction and the risk of organ failure increases dramatically. Anorexia also damages bone, the reproductive system and the immune system. It is a life-threatening disorder and should be taken very seriously.

Bulimia deprives the body’s energy because of uncontrolled or binge eating follow by vomiting, misuse of diet pills and excessive exercise or fasting. Since many individuals with bulimia use vomiting to expel food, loss of potassium, inflammation of the esophagus, erosion of tooth enamel and electrolyte imbalance are common. People who are anorexic or bulimic suffer from obsessive-compulsive disorder, depression, anxiety, fatigue and other psychiatric illnesses.

Another big problem related to stress is sleeping disorders, such as insomnia, sleep apnea and narcolepsy. On average, adults need about 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep every night. By not getting enough sleep, our bodies cannot rejuvenate; therefore, we get tired. The lack of sleep can cause fatigue, depression, anxiety and moodiness, lowering our mental and physical performance.

Common symptoms of stress

• Headache
• Rapid heartbeat
• Asthma
• Infertility
• Menstrual disorders
• Backache
• Rapid breathing
• Loss of apatite
• Sweating
• Nausea
• Upset stomach

Related Posts:

• Breathing: The Importance of Breath
• Stress Relaxation: Increase Energy

Share and Enjoy