Emmons 1

Rhiannon Emmons

Crystal Echols

ENG 1201

18 March 2022

How Can Stress Affect the Body?

There are many people around the world who can say that at some point in their life they

have experienced stress. Often people may not understand all the side effects associated with

stress and may find it difficult to cope. As stress is a growing issue that many deal with, are there

ways to cope? Also, will finding out ways stress affects the body urge people to get the help they

need?

Stress is a common concern to people all over the world today. “Stress is the body's

reaction to harmful situations” (Marks). When a person is undergoing stress, a hormone is

released which is called Cortisol. This method of releasing is known as CRF (Central

Corticotropin Releasing Factor). When undergoing stress, Cortisol is released from the brain into

the blood stream. Cortisol is what helps a person to be able to cope with the affects stress has on

the body. (Scholastic)

Majority of people dealing with stress know the symptoms but may not realize that there

are differences in the types of stress that can be experienced. For example, there is short-term

stress and chronic stress. Chronic stress is prolonged stress while short-term is natural stress that

is condensed. While they both share the same symptoms at the beginning, “chronic stress can

cause or worsen many serious health problems” (Marks). There are also different categories of

symptoms. These categories are known as physical, emotional, cognitive, and behavioral.

(Marks).
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There are many side effects associated with stress. Short-term stress symptoms that are

commonly known are, “racing heart, sweaty palms, and a pounding head” (Scholastic, Inc).

While stress is a common and normal thing for a person’s body to go through, chronic stress can

cause many problems. Some symptoms of chronic stress include “irritability, anxiety,

depression, headaches, and insomnia” (Pietrangelo). As these are just some symptoms, chronic

stress can lead worsening health issues including, “cardiovascular disease, menstrual problems,

sexual dysfunction, skin and hair problems, and gastrointestinal problems” (Marks).

Many different studies have been done and have shown that chronic stress may lead to

memory loss. When a person is stressed, Cortisol, gets released into the blood stream. “Higher

levels of cortisol, a stress hormone, seem to predict brain function, brain size and performance on

cognitive tests. We found memory loss and brain shrinkage in relatively young people long

before any symptoms could be seen” (CNN Newsource Sales).

After discovering the dangers of stress, studies were done to help find ways to cope with

it. A way to cope came out that was called “Mind-Body Training”. Mind-Body Training is a way

to trick the mind into relaxation. Mind-Body Training has shown to be successful as said, “a

variety of mind-body training (MBT) programs have been reported to decrease perceived stress

and improve mood” (Ye-Ha Jung). Coping is very important when dealing with stress but

especially when dealing with chronic stress. The best ways to cope are to be involved in an MBT

(Mind-Body Training) program and to get help.

Stress can affect the body mentally and physically. Stress can cause many health

concerns and is something that can stay under control if treated properly. Stress can be very

dangerous and is a very underlying issue. Learning ways to cope and realizing how stress affects

the body can lead to better general health.

I added all the sources I used in my final research essay. I added more sources because I

needed additional information to complete my essay. Below is the works cited page that includes

all of the sources I have used for my essay.

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https://www.emdria.org/about-emdr-therapy/. Accessed 8 April 2022.

American Heart Association editorial staff. “Stress and Heart Health.” Www.heart.org, 21 June

2021, https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/stress-

and-heart-health. Accessed 8 April 2022.

“Chronic Stress Puts Your Health at Risk.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education

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management/in-depth/stress/art-20046037. Accessed 8 April 2022.

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Bhandria, WebMD, WebMD, 19 Aug. 2021,

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d 8 April 2022.

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u=dayt30401&sid=bookmark-OVIC&xid=4be27d73. Accessed 18 Mar. 2022.

Jung, Ye-Ha, et al. "The Effects of an Online Mind-Body Training Program on Stress, Coping

Strategies, Emotional Intelligence, Resilience and Psychological State." PLoS ONE, vol.

11, no. 8, 1 Aug. 2016, p. e0159841. Gale In Context: Opposing

Viewpoints, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A459740993/OVIC?u=dayt30401&sid=bookmark-

OVIC&xid=8298cdf6. Accessed 18 Mar. 2022.

Marks, Hedy. “Stress Symptoms: Physical Effects of Stress on the Body.” WebMD, WebMD,

https://www.webmd.com/balance/stress-management/stress-symptoms-effects_of-stress-

on-the-body. Accessed 18 Mar. 2022

Mayo Clinic Staff. “Exercise and Stress: Get Moving to Manage Stress.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo

Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 18 Aug. 2020,

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/exercise-and-

stress/art-20044469. Accessed 8 April. 2022.

Pietrangelo, Ann. “The Effects of Stress on Your Body.” Healthline, Healthline Media, 29 Mar.

2020, https://www.healthline.com/health/stress/effects-on-body. Accessed 18 Mar. 2022

Rosiek, Anna, et al. “Chronic Stress and Suicidal Thinking among Medical

Students.” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, MDPI,

15 Feb. 2016, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4772232/. Accessed 8

April 2022.

"Stress might lead to memory loss and brain shrinkage, study says." CNN Wire, 24 Oct.

2018. Gale In Context: Opposing

Viewpoints, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A559627907/OVIC?u=dayt30401&sid=bookmark-

OVIC&xid=bdc8fd33. Accessed 18 Mar. 2022.

"The Secret History Behind the Science of Stress." All Things Considered, 7 July 2014. Gale In

Context: Opposing