The external world that we live in today is more fast paced and stressful than it has ever been before. Many of us feel the need to be “on” twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. As a result of the high-stress lifestyle, many people are feeling depressed, burned out and actually becoming physically ill.
One look at the stress facts that many people aren’t aware of is enough to demonstrate that too much stress is actually quite deadly.
What is Stress?
We hear so many people complaining of being stressed out that we rarely take the time to consider what stress really is. Like other terms, stress can be explained several ways. For the purpose of this article, though, we’ll define stress as an external bodily response to internal, fears and anxieties.
Trying to keep up at work, becoming anxious about the finances and worrying about our family members are all prime examples of the extreme stress that is taking a heavy physical toll on the population of the world.
Of course, not all stress is bad. If you were to look up and notice a semi-truck barreling down toward you, then your body and mind would work together to use that stressor to produce a healthy fear that motivates you to get out of the way. Unfortunately, though, the majority of stress causers in our world are not nearly so life and death as this example.
None of us should approach every incident in our lives with fear, trepidation and worry. And when we do, we are sending some seriously dangerous mixed signals to our bodies – which will ultimately lead to serious health problems.
Your Body & Stress
When you live in a state of non-stop stress, your body pays a very heavy toll. You see, the cells of your body are programmed to react to stress by closing their membranes and getting into a ready-for-the-worst state of being.
As amazing as our bodies are, at a cellular level, they cannot hold up to being constantly primed for danger. Over time, chronically stressed cells will develop an excess of stress molecule receptors. And when they do, they do not operate optimally, and can actually become addicted to stress.
These are the kinds of stress facts that your physician may not even be aware of, let alone passing on to you. When your cellular system becomes effectually closed off to anything except for stress, it’s all too easy for the immune system to become worn down and ineffective.
Stay Balanced
When you live a life that is all about being stressed all of the time, you’re setting yourself up for some serious problems. We were designed to walk through our lives with a healthy balance of emotions and thoughts. When stress becomes the be-all-end-all of your existence, you end up robbing your body, mind and soul of the wonders of every day life.
» Read more: Stress Facts: Why You Should Not Succumb to Stress
