THE DAMAGING EFFECTS OF STRESS

Let’s examine in more detail some of the effects of long-term stress:

  1. Your heart pumps faster, directing blood to the limbs and causing blood pressure to increase. This is fine on a short-term basis, but over time your heart stays at an accelerated rate, maintaining high blood pressure.
  2. Your rate of breathing increases.
  3. Blood sugar levels increase as the output of the pancreas and liver and the storage mechanism of fat cells change. Increasing blood sugar lowers insulin levels. This can lead to adult diabetes.
  4. The digestive system is compromised as the blood moves away from the intestines to the extremities. Internal organs don’t regenerate as effectively. Even if you have a healthy diet, when the body is stressed ...

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