How Stress Impacts the Brain and Body
By Sharon Gates-Albert, LPC, NCC, NCSC
We are living in a period of extreme stress. Our usual concerns — relationships, jobs, finances, health, etc. — are now compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic. For many, the stress of feeling helpless, isolation and an increasingly uncertain future threaten to wreak havoc on our physical, emotional and mental well-being. In fact, according to a national poll conducted at the end of March by the Kaiser Family Foundation, nearly half of all Americans report that stress-related to coronavirus has already negatively impacted their mental health.
“Typically, your body will have some sort of response to stress, whether it’s physical, mental or emotional,” says Sharon Gates-Albert, LPC, NCC, NCSC, Licensed Professional Counselor and Therapist at Right Track Medical Group.
According to Gates-Albert, stress impacts each person differently, but some physical and mental signs include:
Extreme emotions: You are easily irritated, and things that wouldn’t usually bother you, for example, dropping something, cause extreme reactions. At the same time, you may have difficulty processing emotions.
Racing thoughts: You can’t put your mind at ease, or you can’t think straight.
A lack of energy: You constantly feel fatigued or just the thought of walking a half a mile or a mile seems impossible, whereas it was no problem in the past.
Sleep problems: While some will want to sleep all the time, others may suffer from insomnia.
Stomach issues: This might include diarrhea, constipation or nausea.
A change in eating habits: You start to overeat or under-eat.
A lack of motivation: You may have difficulty focusing or neglect responsibilities.
Chest pains: You may experience a rapid heartbeat, and in extreme cases, untreated stress can cause a heart attack or stroke.
To combat the physical effects of stress, Gates-Albert recommends regular exercise, eating a balanced diet and implementing a time management system that works for your daily schedule. Albert also suggests connecting with others. Friends and family can create a strong support system that you can talk about your stress with and who will help keep you accountable to those goals.
“We all have stress; it’s how we manage it that makes a difference,” she says. “If you avoid or improperly manage your stress, that can lead to other mental health concerns such as anxiety or depression.”
If you are practicing healthy coping mechanisms and still experiencing negative symptoms associated with stress, don’t be afraid to reach out for professional help.
“When you can no longer manage day-to-day activities, it’s time to talk to a professional,” Albert says. “It’s okay to admit that you’re overwhelmed and seek support.”
Sharon Gates-Albert is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Therapist at Right Track Medical Group.
To learn about Right Track Medical Group’s approach to mental healthcare and to view staff bios, visit https://www.righttrackmedical.com/about.
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