#stress #healthy lifestyle #depression+1

How Stress Affects the Body

October 28, 2025

2 min read

Why fight stress? After a nervous breakdown, we often calm down and move on. However, the fact is that the body is often under stress, which affects more than just the nervous system.

Key takeaways

Why fight stress?
Where to start to cope with stress

Who this is for

People exploring Mental health through stress, healthy lifestyle.

Why it matters

This piece helps you get oriented quickly, then move into a collection or series if you want to keep going.

Article author

Dr. Julia

Psychiatrist-Psychotherapist

The muscular system. When you're under stress, your muscles tense up, just like when you're under physical strain. Tension leads to muscle and headaches and is especially felt in the neck, upper extremities and lower back. Diseases of the musculoskeletal system are aggravated.

Cardiovascular system. Stress hormones including adrenaline, noradrenaline and cortisol contribute to the narrowing of blood vessels, so that more oxygen goes to the muscles. But at the same time, this causes blood pressure to rise, which makes the heart work harder. This increases the risk of hypertension, heart attacks, arrhythmias, and heart attacks.

Respiratory system. Under the influence of stress breathing speeds up, which allows faster delivery of oxygenated blood to all systems and organs. If a person already has breathing problems — for example,asthma or chronic bronchitis — stress can aggravate the condition.

Central nervous system. The hypothalamus triggers the reaction to stress. Thanks to it, adrenaline and cortisol are released, mobilizing all systems and organs. But if the source of stress doesn't disappear, the constant activation of the nervous system has a negative effect on the entire body.

Digestive system. During stress, the liver increases the production of glucose, which gives the body energy. However, with constant stress the body can't adjust to constant sugar spikes. This often leads to the development of type 2 diabetes. Also, people under stress often complain of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation. Stress increases the risk of acid reflux and worsens gastritis and ulcers.

Reproductive system. People under chronic stress often complain of decreased or lost libido. In men, stress causes a decrease in testosterone production and may cause erectile dysfunction; in women, it causes menstrual irregularities and exacerbates menopausal symptoms.

Immune system. Short-term stress stimulates the immune system, which makes people recover faster and become less ill. But if it drags on, increased activity of adrenal hormones depresses the action of immune system cells, which slows healing of injuries and opens the gates to viral infections.

Depression. Of course, chronic stress leads to exhaustion and depression. Problems with sleep and appetite, increased irritability, guilt, feelings of worthlessness and suicidal thoughts appear.

Where to start to cope with stress

You can minimize the effects of prolonged stress. Sleep at least eight hours, exercise, watch your diet, and avoid stimulants. Meditation and yoga as well as companionship and a positive attitude will help. If you feel that you cannot cope with stress on your own, contact a psychotherapist.

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