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Many of us have heard the phrase that stress can kill but according to recent studies, this is actually more fact than fiction. After testing civil servants in a 12 year study, it was found that those with higher stress levels had a 68% more chance of getting conditions that can potentially be fatal such as heart disease. This is due in part to the stress hormone called cortisol. This hormone gives a burst of energy to the body similar and related to the fight or flight theory.
Another issue with those under stress is their habits that can be potentially harmful. Those under stress tend to take part in more harmful activities such as overeating, smoking, drinking and eating unhealthy foods such as fast food and snack foods. Combined with the stress hormone, these activities can put a double whammy on your heart and affect the rest of your body’s functions to the point of becoming ill or even having a heart attack or stroke.
If you feel that you are under a life threatening stress level it can help just to take some time to yourself and focus on doing what makes you happy. Sure, you may have to still get the work done but try to balance out the rest of your time with activities that are good for you or stress free. If you feel that your stress is out of control it can be a good idea to see your physician or even a therapist to get some ideas on how to slow down the killing effects of stress.
