Stress takes a toll on the body in more ways than you would expect.  It weakens the mind and body.  A major illness or depression can send chemical disruptions through the body.  But it doesn’t have to be a major illness to cause more serious problems. 

Our response to stress, the “fight or flight” reaction, probably evolved in our primitive years when our ancestors had to deal with a cruel world.  They had to stay on their toes in case they ran into a saber-toothed tiger or other enemy.  They had two choices -defend themselves or run like the wind.  When faced with a terrifying situation, the brain sends messages to the adrenal glands to release a flood of hormones.  Among these are adrenaline or epinephrine.  The nerve cells release norephinephrine.  This hormone cocktail makes the heart race, the senses more acute, and muscles tense.  Digestion is halted and sugars course through the veins for available energy.  The body is ready for action almost instantly.

Today we don’t worry about tigers but we still have stressors.  They can be caused by a demanding boss, a difficult relationship, the bad economy, or a general sense of being out of control. These pressures can release hormones that are useful in the short term but can be toxic if they continue. While some stress induced hormones don't stay elevated forever, glucocorticoids can and do. Cortisol can weaken the immune system, potentially making cancer and infectious diseases worse, reducing bone mass, supressing the reproductive system, and leading to memory problems. Sleep patterns are usually changed resulting in sleep reduction, hair loss, etc.  Even if the stress is short lived, danger signals that occur too often keep the hormone levels high enough to damage the arteries.  

Stress can casue a variety of different reactions in the skin.  These can include pimples, rosacea, eczema, blotchy areas, and dryness.  When cortisol rises, so does oil production.  This can cause acne and seborrheic dermatitis because the cell turnover rate is slower.  It also affects fact metabolism and fluid and salt retention.  This can make you lose fat from areas where you want it, and store it in areas you don't.  

It is important to evaluate how much stress you are under and to reduce it whenever possible.  Check out these recipes for at- home treatments you can use to create a stress free spa type environment at home.

There are several ways you can reduce stress.