Stress, Biology, and You
The Science of Stress
If you’re reading this, you’re likely in high school or university. Maybe you’re a high achiever, with pressure from your parents, your teachers, and yourself constantly pushing you. This means that you are definitely no stranger to stress and anxiety — but worrying evidence shows that the record high amounts of stress put upon high school students is affecting more than their mental health.
Everyone knows that stress makes your stomach hurt. But why is that? Well, when you get anxious, your body goes into “fight or flight” mode — your primal instincts kick in and your body releases tons of adrenaline. Research from McMaster university says that when this happens, your body stops prioritizing regular functioning and starts prioritizing things like your heart, lungs, and appendages. This means your stomach essentially loses some of its functionality, which causes pain.
In addition, stress has a serious affect on your musculoskeletal system. Sudden onset stress causes muscle tension because of that same adrenaline release, and constant stress causes near-constant muscle tension. Regular tension in the neck, back, and head can lead to constant headaches and migraines.
Most famously, stress has a huge affect on your cardiovascular system. When you get stressed, your heart rate and blood pressure increase in response to the adrenaline pumping through your body. Chronic stress means that you experience these effects so often that you are at an elevated risk for hypertension, heart attack, or stroke.
Clearly, stress is more than just a brief feeling of anxiety. The pressure placed upon youth can have long lasting affects that carry into their adulthood, and can even put their lives at risk. It’s time for schools and parents to step up and work to reduce students’ stress levels.
