How Stress Affects Your
Body

How are you feeling now?
Think of the last time you were stressed. You
probably experienced a complex mixture of
physical and psychological feelings.
There are multiple effects of stress on your
bodily functions.
Normal (relaxed)
blood supply normal
Under pressure
blood supply up
Acute pressure
thinks more clearly
Chronic pressure
(stress)
headaches or migraines,
tremors
and nervous tics
Normal (relaxed)
normal
Under pressure
reduced
Acute pressure
reduced
Chronic pressure
(stress)
dry mouth, lump in
throat
Normal (relaxed)
happy
Under pressure
serious
Acute pressure
increased concentration
Chronic pressure (stress)
anxiety, loss of sense of
humor
Normal (relaxed)
blood supply normal
Under pressure
blood supply up
Acute pressure
improved performance
Chronic pressure (stress)
muscular tension and pain
Normal (relaxed)
normal rate and blood pressure
Under pressure
increased rate and blood pressure
Acute pressure
improved performance
Chronic pressure (stress)
hypertension and chest pains
Normal (relaxed)
normal blood supply and acid
secretion
Under pressure
reduced blood supply and increased acid
secretion
Acute pressure
reduced blood supply reduces
digestion
Chronic pressure (stress)
ulcers due to heartburn & indigestion
Normal (relaxed)
normal respiration
Under pressure
increased respiration rate
Acute pressure
improved performance
Chronic pressure (stress)
coughs and asthma
Normal (relaxed)
normal blood supply and
bowel activity
Under pressure
reduced blood supply and
increased bowel activity
Acute pressure
reduced blood supply
reduces digestion
Chronic pressure (stress)
abdominal pain and diarrhea
Normal (relaxed)
normal
Under pressure
frequent urination
Acute pressure
frequent urination due to
increased nervous
stimulation
Chronic pressure (stress)
frequent urination, prostatic
symptoms
Normal (relaxed)
healthy
Under pressure
decreased blood supply dry skin
Acute pressure
decreased blood supply
Chronic pressure
(stress)
dryness and rashes
Normal (relaxed)
(male) normal. (female) normal periods
etc
Under pressure
(m) impotence (decreased blood
supply) (f) irregular periods
Acute pressure
decreased blood supply
Chronic pressure (stress)
(m) impotence. (f) menstrual
disorders
Normal (relaxed)
normal: oxygen consumed, glucose
and fats liberated.
Under pressure
oxygen consumption up, glucose
and fats consumption up
Acute pressure
more energy immediately
available
Chronic pressure (stress)
rapid tiredness