How Stress Affects Your Health and Well-Being

Are you caring for a loved one with dementia? You don't have to figure this out all on your own. Welcome to Truth, Lies Alzheimer's, the show that helps you reimagine a new relationship with your loved one, a relationship a little more free of stress and anxiety. Join host Lisa Skinner and her 30+ years of experience as she guides you on a new path to a better relationship with those you care for. Here's Lisa.

Hey everybody, welcome back to another brand new episode of The Truth, Lies Alzheimer's Show. And I'm your host, Lisa Skinner. I'm going to ask you a thought-provoking question. Do any of you ever think about how much the stress in our lives actually impact our health and well-being? Because most of us live day in and day out in a really crazy, fast-moving, fast-paced world, and stressful for all of us. So today I want to discuss that topic and how it affects each and every one of us, often without our conscious awareness of how much stress we're actually absorbing. It's been dubbed the silent predator, and we know Well, some of us do, that stress can wreak havoc on not only our bodies and minds, but to a plethora of other health issues. So, understanding the mechanisms of stress, its impact, and how we can combat it is crucial for our well-being. The first thing we we need to understand what stress is. And so the definition is that it's a natural response to perceived threats or challenges, often referred to as the fight or flight response. That's one of our very basic human instincts. It triggers a cascade of psychological and physiological changes designed to help us respond to danger. There are several types of stress. There's acute stress, which is short-term stress that can be beneficial, helping us to respond to immediate challenges. And then of course there's the chronic stress, which is ongoing, that can lead to serious health problems if not managed properly. There are things that we call stress triggers, and some examples are— it could be external, like facing work deadlines, financial issues. Internal triggers, like self-doubt and anxiety. Each individual reacts differently to stress, influenced by our personalities, past experiences and the coping mess— mechanisms that we've developed. So let's talk a little bit about the physiological impact of stress. When we encounter a stressor, our bodies release hormones like adrenaline and cortisol. This response prepares us for immediate action, but it It increases our heart rate, our blood pressure can rise, and energy levels spike. While this reaction is useful in short bursts, prolonged exposure to stress hormones actually can be detrimental to us. It has an impact on our body. It impacts our cardiovascular system. Chronic stress can lead to hypertension, heart attacks, and strokes due to continuous elevated heart rate and blood pressure. It affects our immune system because long-term stress suppresses immune function, making us more susceptible to infections and illnesses. It affects our digestive system. It can lead to gastrointestinal issues, including irritable bowel syndrome, ulcers, and increased acid production. It impacts our musculoskeletal system where muscle tension from stress can lead to chronic pain conditions such as tension headaches and back pain. And then it also can impact our endocrine system where chronic stress can disrupt hormonal balance leading to issues like diabetes. Or thyroid problems. And of course, there's stress just in aging. Now, research indicates that chronic stress accelerates the aging process by shortening what's called telomeres, which are protective caps that are on our chromosomes. This cellular aging can lead to increased susceptibility to age-related diseases. Then we'll move on to the psychological impact of stress. There's mental health disorders, and there's a link that between chronic stress and mental health conditions, including anxiety disorders, because persistent stress can lead to heightened anxiety and panic attacks. There's depression. Stressful life events often trigger depressive episodes, leading to a vicious cycle of stress and mood disorders. And post-traumatic stress disorder, also known as PTSD, where traumatic stress can lead to lasting psychological effects that require professional intervention. It can impact our cognitive function because stress can impair cognitive functions such as our memory, our attention span, and decision-making capabilities. Chronic stress can lead to a decrease in brain volume in areas responsible for memory and emotional regulation, such as the hippocampus. It can have a lasting impact. On our relationships, it can strain personal and professional relationships, leading to communication breakdowns and conflicts. This social isolation can further exacerbate stress, creating a harmful cycle. So, we have to ask ourselves, why is stress often ignored? Well, there's a couple different theories because of percept— cultural perceptions. Did you know that in many cultures, stress is normalized or even glorified as a sign of hard work and dedication? But this can lead to reluctance to acknowledge stress as a serious health concern. It could also be due to lack of awareness. Many people are unaware of the signs of chronic stress or fail to recognize its impact on their lives. They may attribute physical symptoms to other causes, delaying necessary interventions. And then, unfortunately, there are stigmas surrounding mental health. The stigma associated with mental health issues can prevent individuals from seeking help for stress-related problems. And this leads to a cycle of avoidance and worsening symptoms. So what are some of the coping strategies and solutions for day-to-day stress? Well, we can think about making some lifestyle changes and getting physical activity. Regular exercise is one of the most effective stress relievers because it releases endorphins that improve our moods and reduce anxiety. Eating a healthier diet. Proper nutrition supports overall health and can help regulate stress hormones. Sleep hygiene. Prioritizing sleep is crucial for recovery and stress management. So, they recommend that we aim for 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night. And I want to add that they mean quality sleep, not interrupted sleep. And then there are mindfulness and relaxation techniques. Like meditation. Mindfulness meditation helps cultivate awareness and can reduce stress levels significantly. Deep breathing exercises— simple techniques can activate the body's relaxation response and help mitigate acute stress. Those of you who love yoga, you're doing a great thing for yourself. Yoga combines physical movement with mindfulness and can enhance emotional regulation and reduce the symptoms of stress. There's social support. Building a robust support network can provide emotional outlets and practical help. Connecting with friends, family, and/or support groups may help alleviate feelings of isolation. There's always professional help. If stress becomes overwhelming, seeking help from a mental health professional could be vital for you. Therapy options, including cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, can equip individuals with tools to help manage stress effectively. Time management skills are recommended, meaning developing better time management skills, because these can help alleviate the pressure that often contributes to stress. So, in prioritizing tasks, setting realistic goals, and learning to say no. Are all things we can do to help maintain a healthier work-life balance. So here are some long-term strategies for stress management. One of 'em is to develop resilience. Resilience, as defined, is the ability to bounce back from adversity. Building resilience involves fostering a positive mindset, cultivating gratitude, and focusing on solutions rather than problems. You can create a stress reduction plan by identifying your personal stressors and develop a plan tailored to address them. This could include the lifestyle changes, coping strategies, and regular check-ins with yourself to assess your stress levels. Educate yourself and others. Awareness is key. Educating yourself about stress and its effects can empower you to take action and advocate for a culture that prioritizes mental health. So, let me just take a second to summarize what I've just shared with you. Stress, there's no question, is a silent predator that can impact every aspect of our lives. So, by understanding its effects on our bodies and minds, we can then take proactive steps to manage it. This will look like lifestyle changes, mindful practices, and seeking support are all vital components in combating the negative impacts of stress. And then remember, acknowledging stress is the first step toward reclaiming your health and well-being. So, understanding the importance of recognizing and addressing stress as a significant health concern We can accomplish this by fostering awareness and implementing these strategies that I've shared with you for managing our stress. And then we'll be able to mitigate its harmful effects and lead healthier, happier lives. There's a little bit of science behind stress. So, um, it falls into the role of neurotransmitters. Stress affects the balance of our neurotransmitters in the brain, such as serotonin and dopamine, and these influence our mood and anxiety. So, what happens is disruption of these chemicals can lead to depression, anxiety, and other serious mental health disorders. We feel stress throughout our entire lives as we are developing. So the different examples of stress across our different life stages includes the stress that we feel in our adolescence. Because we face as adolescents or teenagers, we, we face unique stressors such as academic pressure, social dynamics, identity formation. Understanding the impact of stress during this critical development stage is essential for promoting mental health. Many of us feel stress in our workplaces. It's a common source of chronic stress, ongoing, long-term. Factors like job insecurity, long hours, and lack of support can all contribute to burnout. So, implementing workplace wellness programs can certainly be beneficial. There's stress in aging populations. Older adults may experience stress related to their health issues, a loss of their loved ones, and a big one is social isolation that is so prevalent in older adults. So, we need to find ways to tailor into interventions that focus on community engagement and mental health support. These can all be vital for people who are aging and help relieve some of the stress they feel. We have to also consider cultural perspectives on stress. Different cultures view and cope with stress in a variety of ways. Understanding these cultural perspectives actually can help tailor interventions that resonate with individuals from diverse backgrounds. And then the role that community plays in our everyday lives. And in many cultures, community support plays a crucial role in stress management. So exploring communal coping strategies can provide valuable insights into effective stress reduction. So because this is the Truth, Lies Alzheimer's Show, I am going to wrap this up by drawing parallels between stress and Alzheimer's disease. Now, this is an area of active research, and while definitive conclusions are still being drawn, Several key correlations have been identified. Number one is how stress increases our cortisol levels. And how that relates to our cognitive function is because it— chronic stress does lead to elevated levels of cortisol, which is a stress hormone. Prolonged high cortisol levels can have neurotoxic effects on our brains, potentially damaging neurons and contributing to cognitive decline. Stress is known to trigger inflammatory responses in our bodies. Chronic inflammation is believed to play a role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. It can contribute to the accumulation of amyloid plaques and tau tangles, which are characteristic of Alzheimer's disease. There's neurogenesis. Stress can inhibit neurogenesis, which is the process by which new neurons are formed in the brain. This is particularly relevant in the hippocampus, an area critical for memory and learning, which, as we know, is often, most often affected in Alzheimer's patients. That's typically where it starts in our brains. Cognitive function. High levels of stress can impair cognitive functions like memory and attention. Which are early signs of Alzheimer's disease. This can create a feedback loop where cognitive decline increases stress levels, further exacerbating the issue. There are the genetic factors that we have to keep— take into consideration. Some individuals may have genetic predispositions that make them more success— susceptible to the effects of stress on brain health. For example, the APOE4 gene or allele that's known as a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease may interact with stress in complex ways. And this is the genetic factor of increasing our risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. We can inherit an APOE4 gene from both our parents, either one, the other, or both. If you have one, you're at an increased risk for developing Alzheimer's disease. If you inherited both from both parents and you carry two APOE4 genes, that increases your risk of developing Alzheimer's disease even more. Lifestyle and resilience plays a huge role in the correlation between stress factors and increased risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. Chronic stress can lead to lifestyle choices that increase Alzheimer's risk, such as poor diet, lack of exercise, and social isolation. But conversely, individuals with strong social support and coping mechanisms may actually be much more resilient to stress and its potential cognitive impacts. And again, just to emphasize, while these correlations do suggest a complex relationship between stress and Alzheimer's disease, there is more research that is needed to fully understand the mechanisms involved and how interventions might mitigate your risk. And that will conclude today's episode of The Truth, Lies, and Alzheimer's Show. I'm Lisa Skinner, your host. I hope you found the content in today's episode interesting, intriguing, and of course valuable, because that's what I want to bring to you every single week. I certainly did, and I'm going to really pay closer attention to how much stress I absorb in my day-to-day life. And I think that that's something that we all need to do. So until next week, when I bring you another new episode of The Truth Lies in Alzheimer's, I hope all of you have a great, happy, and healthy rest of this week. And I'll look forward to having you all back next week. Take care. Bye-bye.

Thank you for listening to Truth, Lies Alzheimer's. We hope you found something in today's episode that helps. We understand that caring for a loved one with dementia can be the challenge of a lifetime, but you don't have to do it alone. If you're ready for exclusive access to even more great content and resources, head on over to Facebook and join Lisa Skinner's Minding Dementia support group. We're a community of like-minded caregivers, and we're here to help.