Is Stress Stored Within Your Body?

August 9, 2024

The Science Behind Stress: How Your Body’s Systems React to Psychological Strain and Manifest Physical Symptoms.

Frequent back pain is commonly believed to indicate the presence of stored stress in the body. Similarly, stomach discomfort is often said to hold one’s emotions captive in the belly.

What exactly does that signify? Is your stress about work or finances flowing through your body and settling into your internal organs and extremities?

Simply put, the answer is no. According to Steven Tovian, a clinical professor at Northwestern University, it can manifest itself physically. However, this does not mean there is a literal “reservoir” of stress next to our kidneys that overflows and causes problems. This analogy of a boiling cauldron is not an accurate depiction of how it affects us.

Regrettably, stress is present throughout your entire body. Here is the proper explanation of what occurs in your body when you experience it.

The impact of stress on the human body

According to Camelia Hostinar, an associate professor at the University of California, Davis, the belief that stress is stored in specific body parts originated from Sigmund Freud’s research over 100 years ago. Freud’s theory suggested that repressed emotions could manifest as physical symptoms, and acknowledging these emotions could alleviate the symptoms. However, as our understanding of stress has evolved, we now know that it is a complex response affecting the entire body and not just a specific area. This response can occur even if individuals are not suppressing their emotions but are fully aware of them.

How the Body’s Response System Works

According to neuroscientist and assistant professor of cognitive science at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in N.Y., Alicia Walf, the hypothalamus in your brain is crucial in coordinating a hormonal stress response when faced with a stressor. This leads to the release of a series of hormones from the pituitary gland, which then signals the adrenal glands to release them into the bloodstream, which plays a vital role in the body. The hypothalamus also coordinates the release of(adrenaline) and noradrenaline from the adrenal glands, which have temporary physical, such as increasing heart rate, but also impact cognitive function, as Walf explained, enhancing your understanding of the body’s stress response system.

The Diverse Reactions Within the Body

According to Hostinar, the stress response can be compared to a symphony, a metaphor coined by researchers in the field of neuroscience. She explains that many stress systems react differently, similar to musical instruments, to different stressors. This can lead to a unique combination of symptoms in individuals. For instance, one person may experience increased appetite and cravings for comfort foods, while another may report muscle tension and pain. The effects of stress can occur within seconds, minutes, and even days. Hostinar further explains that in the first few seconds, one might experience an increase in heart rate or cold and clammy hands. However, days later, chronic stress can weaken the immune system. She adds that this response is like an orchestra, where different musical instruments work at different intensities and time scales to orchestrate the overall response.

The type of stress and one’s identity both play significant roles.

The nature of stress one experiences and its frequency, duration, and intensity are key factors in determining how it will manifest in the body. There are various types of stress, including acute stress (such as being stuck in traffic), episodic stress (such as occasional work projects), chronic stress (such as job loss, divorce, or long-term illness), and traumatic stress (such as childhood abuse). According to Tovian, stress is not a singular entity. While relaxation techniques like deep breathing can resolve acute stress and do not have lasting effects, other types require ongoing attention.

How It Targets Your Body’s Weak Spots

The impact of stress on your body is influenced by factors such as your overall health, age, genetic makeup, and past experiences. According to Tovian, as you age, you may experience the effects of stress more intensely or less intensely, depending on your learned experiences. For instance, individuals with a history of slipped discs and lower back pain are more likely to experience stress-related symptoms in their lower back. Similarly, if your family has a history of digestive problems, that may be how your body reacts to it. According to Tovian, just like any enemy, it targets the weakest areas of your body.

According to the author, our bodies can handle a specific stress level, depending on various factors. However, if it surpasses our limit, usually over a prolonged period, it can potentially lead to physical damage. Some include weight gain, exceptionally high and impaired metabolism. On the flip side, it can cause fatigue, dizziness, and muscle weakness.

What are the indications of stress?

Studies indicate that stress may cause issues in the musculoskeletal, respiratory, cardiovascular, endocrine, gastrointestinal, nervous, and reproductive systems. This is known as somatization, the medical term for manifesting stress through physical symptoms.

The Importance of Proper Diagnosis and Treatment

According to Dr. Ashwini Nadkarni, associate medical director of Brigham Psychiatric Specialties at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, some of the typical symptoms of stress include headaches, nausea, fatigue, dizziness, heart palpitations, and pain in the chest, back, or abdomen. It can also cause inflammation in the circulatory system, specifically in the coronary arteries, trigger migraines, disrupt menstrual cycles, and increase the risk of developing stomach ulcers. Chronic stress can also lead to Cushing’s syndrome, which causes weight gain, muscle weakness, and skin problems.

According to Nadkarni, a large number of individuals are affected by somatization. She states that approximately one-third of the symptoms reported during a primary care visit have no known medical cause. In other words, there is no scientific evidence to explain these symptoms. Alternatively, an individual may have a medical condition, but the symptoms they are experiencing are disproportionate to the severity of the condition.

Why Recovery from Stress is Crucial

Medical professionals often view stress as a diagnosis only considered after ruling out other potential medical conditions through a comprehensive physical examination and various tests. This process helps them determine if stress is the underlying factor behind a patient’s symptoms. As Tovian explains, it may cause headaches, but a headache can also be a symptom of a brain tumor. It is crucial to not self-diagnose and dismiss seeking proper medical care for any symptoms that may be related to stress.

Mindfulness and Social Support: Keys to Managing Stress

According to Nadkarni, if a medical professional concludes that your symptoms are caused by stress, they will most likely suggest using mindfulness-based stress reduction therapy. This form of meditation helps individuals remain focused on the present moment and can assist those experiencing somatization in accepting their physical pain or emotional distress without judgment. Nadkarni explains, “It helps to decrease the tendency to constantly worry about the symptoms or overreact to them.” This therapy is believed to alleviate pain, reduce the severity of symptoms, decrease any associated depression or anxiety, and enhance overall quality of life.

Discovering healthy methods of recuperating after a highly stressful event is crucial, as this can prevent the onset of symptoms. According to Hostinar, relying on social support is one effective way to relieve it. She explains that this can reduce stress in the moment and in the long run. Having someone to confide in or a supportive presence can aid in easier recovery and a less intense stress response. Additionally, this method benefits people of all ages, cultures, and backgrounds.

Building Resilience Against Stress

According to Tovian, resilience should be prioritized as stress is unavoidable. But is it as straightforward as it sounds? The key is to focus on self-awareness, taking care of our bodies through adequate sleep and a healthy diet to maintain normal and balanced health. Chronic stress often involves lifestyle changes and techniques to lower it. The ultimate goal is to have control over it rather than letting it control us. Understanding and overcoming it is key to mitigating the negative.

Source:

Angela Haupt (August 8, 2024). Do You Really Store Stress in Your Body? Times. https://time.com/7008130/where-do-you-store-stress-in-body/. Accessed August 9, 2024