How Chronic Stress Affects Your Health and Decisions

Hello friends,

When it comes to getting healthy, everyone thinks of workouts and diets.

But no one manages stress.

Even though managing stress has a greater impact on health than exercise or nutrition alone.

Let’s take time to take stress seriously and recognize its effects on our well-being.

We can unlock better health and vitality by addressing stress.

This week in building health 👇

Why We’re More Stressed than Ever

While I used to consider being loaded with work a natural part of daily life, I now recognize that it's more than that.

Stress is our body's excessive reaction to pressure, whether it’s physical or emotional. Our heart beats faster and we have elevated hormones in our body that help us prepare for danger.

Now it’s not a bad thing on it’s own. After all, during ancestral times, this reaction helped us to survive danger.

But in today's world, this response doesn't always serve us well. Chronic stress can lead to serious health problems like:

• Depression

• Behavioral changes

• Physical illness

It feels like there are threats and dangers all around us.

The Hidden Ways Stress Affects You

One big problem I realized recently is that stress impacts decision-making abilities.

When stressed, your brain switches from goal-oriented to habitual.

So instead of making decisions based on long-term goals and values, you're likely to revert to old patterns and routines.

(In short, you’re more likely to fall back into bad habits)

This shift in decision-making can have major consequences from healthy habits to important life choices. It makes it hard to decide big and small things:

• What should I eat today?

• How should I respond to my spouse and children?

• Which career path should I pursue?

• How to handle relationship challenges?

• What financial planning steps should I take?

It's vital to recognize how stress affects your decision-making process.

By being aware of this, you can take proactive steps to manage your stress.

Helpful strategies include practicing mindfulness, defining goals, and surrounding myself with a strong support network.

Let’s Face it: Your Work Matters

Personally, work is the biggest contributor to my stress.

Being an entrepreneur, I’ve chosen a life of uncertainty, hard work, long days, and lack of control. Setting boundaries is also a challenge a lot of the time.

Many of us fear discussing stress with our employers, worried about stigma or harming our careers. So you’re more likely to suck it up and suffer the prolonged stress.

Rethinking Stress in Your Life

Creating a less stressful future requires change at both the individual and societal levels.

On a personal level, there are many things you can do to manage stress effectively, such as:

• Regular exercise

• Mindfulness and relaxation techniques

• Setting boundaries and learning to say no

• Seeking support from friends, family, or professionals

On a larger scale, there needs to be more systemic changes too. Employers need to take responsibility for reducing stress by:

• Introducing flexible hours

• Giving you more control over your work

• Encouraging open discussions about stress

• Providing resources and support for stress management.

There already are places that prioritize work-life balance and employee well-being. It's time for that to be more widespread.

→ Read more on this here

My favorite health things for the week

// one

What is Hormesis?

11 minutes | Stephanie Eckelkamp

I’m including this to balance out the long article above.

REMEMBER, stress in itself is not the problem. Because short term stress or “hormetic stress” can be beneficial.

Brief, controlled stress that can improve health, slow aging, and enhance resilience.

Think of things like intermittent fasting, cold-exposure, or a high-intensity workout.

They’re quick, challenge your body, and if you allow yourself to recover well- they boost your health in the long term.

→ Read more on this here

// two

How Can I get More “Good Stress?”

5 minutes | Anne-Laure Le Cunff

Again, it's natural to view stress as purely negative, but there is such a thing as 'eustress' or beneficial stress.

The piece explores how stress can fuel productivity, creativity, and resilience if managed correctly.

You’re always trying to find the right balance between challenging yourself, recovering, learning, and repeating the cycle.

It's a refreshing perspective that challenges the general perception of stress, offering practical ways to harness it for personal growth.

→ Read More About it Here

// three

The Different Ways Your Body Responds to Stress

15 minutes | Greg Nuckols

Finally, still on the topic of stress, it’s good to know how your body physically responds to it.

Its use of graphs and real-world examples makes the complex concepts of training, recovery, and calorie balance easy to grasp.

This is essential reading to maximize gains, improve workout strategy, and understand how life's stresses affect fitness.

→ Read More About it Here

Until next time

Thanks as usual for reading.

Things have been very busy for me recently. (You could say I’m… stressed 😰😂)

I’m doing my best to manage!

Have a Healthy Weekend