These days it seems that the sources of stress are multiplying exponentially. Only a few years ago (a lifetime in this day and age) we might have stressed out over the typical things. How could my homeowner insurance possibly increase this much? Is my kid going to get accepted to the college they’d love to go to? Is my favorite restaurant really closing its doors? Those sources of anxiety still exist, of course. But there are a host of newcomers to add to the list. How can I prevent my kid from getting onto the “dark web?” Can a foreign country really knock out our power grid? Did I really just hear that podcaster say that? Pick your poison. There are endless reasons to have a terrible night’s sleep.

Unfortunately, the effects of stress go beyond a little bout of insomnia. One important effect to be aware of is the potential for heart disease in response to chronic stress. Much has been written based on abundant research regarding both acute and chronic stress. That’s a distinction worth knowing about. Writing for Healthline, Jill Seladi-Schulman, Ph.D. focuses the nature of stress and its possible impact on your health. First, she notes that not all stress is bad. “Acute stress is short term and identifiable,” she writes. It may be caused by anything from the anticipation of a job interview to getting stuck in traffic. “Chronic stress happens when you face a challenge that doesn’t have a clear end. As a result, you stay in a heightened state of readiness to face an ongoing threat. Chronic stress doesn’t give your body a chance to recover and return to a normal state.”

Generally, the causes of chronic stress, such as coping with a life-threatening illness or unresolvable financial difficulties, are serious. That’s why a person’s response (heightened stress) is rational and understandable. On the downside, just because a person’s response is understandable doesn’t mean it’s not dangerous. Seladi-Schulman explains why. “A 2021 study included 118,706 people without existing heart disease across 21 countries. Overall, the researchers found that high stress was associated with an increased risk of:

• Cardiovascular disease
• Coronary heart disease
• Stroke
• Death

“Additionally, according to a 2018 study, stress may be a risk factor for cardiomyopathy, a progressive disease that causes the heart muscle to weaken.

“Also in 2021, the American Heart Association released a scientific statement regarding the importance of the effect of psychological health on heart health.” Issues that may affect your psychological health include everything from work-related stress to social isolation.

As if all of that weren’t enough, research also shows that chronic stress can be associated with high blood pressure and may contribute to increased incidents of diabetes.

If you find yourself in a situation that you cannot control and is causing you stress, it’s important to find ways to reduce your stress. Your overall health is at stake. Proven ways to reduce stress include techniques ranging from breathing exercises to meditation. For more information see How To Relax When You’re Stressed Out, The How And Why Of ‘Box Breathing’ and It’s Time To De-Stress — For Your Mental Health And More. If you try managing stress yourself and it’s not working, it’s time for professional help. Please give me a call and we can discuss your situation.