Stress is a natural physiological response that occurs in the body when faced with challenging or threatening situations and it can have such a significant impact on our body and its ability to function.
We can all tolerate various levels of stress and all react differently but it is important to know how stress impacts our body and how we can reduce further tension.
How Stress Affects the Body
Hormonal Response
Stress triggers the release of hormones like cortisol, which can increase blood sugar, decrease insulin sensitivity, and break down muscle tissue. This can negatively impact training by reducing muscle growth and repair and can increase the risk of injury.
Digestive Issues
Stress can also affect the digestive system by decreasing blood flow to the stomach and intestines, leading to nausea, indigestion, and other digestive issues. This can interfere with nutrient absorption and energy levels, making it harder to sustain training.
Sleep Disturbances
Chronic stress often disrupts sleep, which we need for recovery and growth. Poor sleep can leave you feeling run-down and unable to train at your best.
Immune Function
Stress can weaken the immune system, making it harder to fight off infections and recover from illness or injury.
Mental Health
Stress can contribute to anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders. This can impact training by reducing motivation, focus, and energy levels.
So, Now What?
To reduce the negative effects of stress on training, it’s important to understand what increases our unique perceived stress and then find tools to calm our nervous system down. Stress levels can be managed through various ways. Here are a few effective approaches:
- Relaxation Techniques: Practices like meditation, deep breathing, or even a walk in nature can do wonders for lowering stress.
- Enjoyment & Rest: Make time for things you love and allow yourself breaks from work and training when you need it.
- Basic Self-Care: Good sleep, proper nutrition, and hydration all help your body manage stress better.
- Self-Assessment: Take a moment to audit where your main stressors are. This makes it easier to target and manage them.
Side Note… this is a JUICY and HUGE topic and we realised we just dumped you with all the ways stress can..stress you. AND NOW, you probably are STRESSED! But we want to say… don’t be. It’s empowering to understand the human body and this brings awareness for you.
Something You Can Do Right Now
Something you can start with to make it seem a little less overwhelming are asking yourself these three questions.
- How stressed am I, really?
- What are my major sources of stress?
- Where can I start to reduce stress?
Hope this gives you some helpful food for thought.
