Health Effects of Stress

By: Hope Finley

Everyone experiences stress or anxiety at one time or another. These experiences are the body’s natural reaction to a threat in a situation. While most people often deal with stress, too much can have a negative impact on the body.

Dr. JD Shugrue

Leaving home, feeling the pressure of balancing school, work and a social life, high costs of college and upcoming final exams, its no wonder college students are highly stressed.

The Anxiety and Depression Association of America reports that 80% of college students say they frequently or sometimes experience stress daily.

Dr. JD Shugrue from the UAB Medical West says stress, whether it be acute or chronic, can impact the body in a number of ways. “Acute stress can actually exacerbate certain other chronic conditions, it can cause us to have heart attacks, it can cause us to go into an asthma exacerbation.”

 Dr. Shugrue says the studies are not completely conclusive to say they cause certain illnesses, but chronic stress can worsen current illnesses. Heart disease, anxiety, depression, irritable bowel syndrome and asthma are just a few of the illnesses that can worsen with the addition of stress.

"Most Stressful Factors for College Students"
courtesy of: http://www.kon.org/urc/v9/britz.html

Experts saying physical activity is a proven way to de-stress.

Along with physical activity, focusing on achievements rather than failures, and finding time for yourself and doing something you enjoy helps calm stress.

For more information, check out this fact sheet about the different types of stress, their effects, and management click here.