Stress and its effects on your health

Have you thought of how stress can affect midlife transition? While the stress-inducing elements often go unnoticed, their effects on your health are also not taken into account. In our previous blog, we have discussed the stressors in midlife. Now let us look at how it can affect your health.

Midlife transition – Stress and its effects on your health?

Before you find ways to beat midlife stress, you must know the effects of midlife stress on your health. While some stress is believed to be good and motivating, excessive and chronic stress can be harmful. Midlife stress, in most cases, is a prolonged one and often causes disturbances at various levels. Stress during the midlife can affect the physical and emotional levels but can. Some stressors can negatively impact your health

1. Health and Lifestyle – During the midlife transition you are already juggling roles and finding ways to manage your tasks in the given time. With added stress, optimum performance becomes even more difficult. Stress is known to affect sleep, appetite, eating habits and weight in most cases. These effects are more distinct during midlife. Physical changes – For some, midlife stress can affect routine body processes and result in physical complaints as well. Stress can affect digestion, cause tightness of muscles and difficulty in concentration. Studies suggest that middle aged people are greater risk of chronic pain and fibromyalgia, without any known cause

2. Hormones – Women, often experience hormonal changes during midlife transition. Any kind of stress during this period can cause more hormonal imbalances and or make existing problems worse. Men too may get affected by stress resulting in hormonal problems.

Cognitive skills – Some studies have shown that stressed midlife transition can affect memory and cognitive skills too. With too many thoughts and plans of various tasks, a stressed mind is more prone to forgetfulness, confusion and Emotional problems – Some people are more sensitive and can face emotional turmoil due to a stressed midlife transition. Excessive stress can give a feeling of being weighed down by the responsibilities and expectations of others. The inability to do certain tasks, over occupied mind or ill-health can negatively impact your emotional condition. Midlife stress comes in various forms and affects each one differently.

It is also necessary to know if midlife stress is affecting you and in which way. In the next blog, we will look at the signs and symptoms of stressed midlife.

References:

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30691935

2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16215337