For those of us who work, commute, have relationships, care for families and try to pack too many responsibilities into each day, stress may be an ever-present, unwanted companion.

You experience stress when your body responds to an emotionally or physically challenging situation. Short-term stress isnt associated with health problems, but long-term or chronic stress is.

When your body recognizes that you are stressed, it releases hormones to help you get through the situation, but in the modern world, those hormones arent always helpful, says Eric C. Alcera, M.D., a behavioral health specialist at Hackensack Meridian Health. In the past, a burst of stress hormones like cortisol or adrenaline may have helped you run to safety when you were being chased by wild animals, but when youre sitting at your desk feeling stressed about a work project, the influx of stress hormones doesnt have the same effect.

Common health problems that are associated with chronic stress include:

Chronic stress may also impact your body in unexpected ways.

Adopting healthy habits may help you feel less stressed, which may make you less likely to experience stress-related health problems. Try to incorporate these lifestyle habits into your routine:

The material provided through HealthU is intended to be used as general information only and should not replace the advice of your physician. Always consult your physician for individual care.

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Doctor Shares 5 Surprising Things That Stress Does To Your Body - Hackensack Meridian Health

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