While stress is a normal part of life today, we all have different ways to cope with challenging events.
Those who learn effective stress management will survive difficult times without allowing them to take their toll on the body.
Others may experience harmful effects that may continue long after the stressful event has passed.
To understand the importance of learning how to manage life's challenges, consider some of the harmful effects of stress that can occur otherwise.
Our bodies are programmed to respond to stressful events by what is known as a "flight or fight" response.
During this physiological reaction, the body releases adrenalin and cortisol.
Adrenalin is a hormone that raises your heart rate and gives you energy so you can deal with urgent situations.
Cortisol suppresses nonessential body functions, like the digestive and reproductive systems so the body is fully focused on responding to the current issue.
In an emergency, this response is essential because it allows us to respond quickly to a crisis.
However, it is easy to see what the harmful effects of stress might be if this reaction is forced to continue on indefinitely.
Overexposure to these hormones can have a negative impact on a good number of your body systems.
Your cardiovascular system takes the brunt of the harmful effects of stress, with many people developing high blood pressure or irregular heart rates as a result of chronic tension and pressure.
Over the short term, these problems may correct themselves once the tension is relieved.
However, long term effects may need medical treatment to correct, even after the stressful situation is over.
The digestive system also suffers from long term stressful events.
The harmful effects of stress on this system might include the development of irritable bowel syndrome, GERD or chronic constipation.
If you already have one of these conditions, stress can make them worse.
These conditions might also be exacerbated with poor eating habits that are typical during stressful times.
People in challenging situations have a tendency to gain weight as well, since they don't stick to a healthy fare or a daily exercise regimen as well as they should.
There are other harmful effects of stress as well that can affect other areas of the body.
It is not unusual for people in difficult circumstances to experience chronic pain, headaches or difficulty sleeping.
If you are dealing with a stressful time of life, healthy management of your anxiety and tension will go a long way in reducing the harmful effects of stress and maintaining your health during and long after the difficult event is passed.