Why Should I care About Stress?
Whether it’s physical, emotional, or psychological, we all experience stress on a regular basis. Stress is defined by Oxford Languages as, “a state of mental or emotional strain or tension resulting from adverse or very demanding circumstances.”
In this post we’re discussing the effects stress itself can have on our bodies and how they can lead to a shorter, less healthy life. It’s important to recognize the ways we experience and deal with stress in our daily lives because excessive stress can contribute to long term health issues. We’ll also briefly discuss how hormone replacement can be beneficial to our bodies’ ability to handle stress inducing situations.
The Physical Effects of Stress
You have, no doubt, felt the physical effects of stress countless times. Many of us carry tension in our backs and shoulders - if you’ve ever gotten a professional massage they’ve likely mentioned this to you as they attempted to tackle your hard earned knots. Actually, there are a plethora of stress induced symptoms we deal with.
Physical symptoms of stress include (via Hedy Marks, WedMD):
Low energy
Headaches
Upset stomach, including diarrhea, constipation, and nausea
Aches, pains, and tense muscles
Chest pain and rapid heartbeat
Insomnia
Frequent colds and infections
Loss of sexual desire and/or ability
Nervousness and shaking, ringing in the ear, cold or sweaty hands and feet
Dry mouth and difficulty swallowing
Clenched jaw and grinding teeth
The Psychological Effects of Stress
You were probably already aware of many of the physical, but what about the psychological effects stress has on us? Does stress penetrate our psyche? Short answer: Yes. Stress can cause our mental state to deteriorate, if not addressed or mitigated.
For instance, stress has been directly linked to:
Depression
Anxiety
Low self esteem
Loss of sexual desire
Social isolation
All of these things contribute to lower mental health, in turn leading to less healthy decision making and habit forming, which can quickly turn into a negative feedback loop. Again, it’s important to recognize these symptoms, the stressors that cause them, and the ways in which we cope with them. If the goal is to live a happier, healthier, longer life, healthy stress management is a vital part of that journey.
How Can Hormone Therapy Help With Stress?
Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy, specifically testosterone, has anti-inflammatory effects, which can help prevent unnecessary stress responses and help recovery afterwards. We also experience less physical and psychological stress when our hormones are optimized because our bodies have more communicators, more energy, and more strength to manage our mental and emotional states.
Our bodies are highly susceptible to feedback loops. By that I mean we often react to stress by indulging in habits or behaviors that ultimately lead to higher levels of stress, completing and perpetuating the loop. It’s important, regardless of whether or not you pursue hormone replacement therapy, to take note of our coping mechanisms. Some of the most impactful changes we can make take place in the gym, kitchen, and our habits.
So How Do I Get Started?
If you’re interested in HRT, be sure to find a provider who only prescribes bio-identical hormones. Also make sure to find a provider who specializes in the treatment, not just dabbles; HRT is a balancing act which should be carefully planned and monitored to ensure healthy, long-lasting benefits.
Here at Gershon Preventative Medicine, we’re here to help. Our mission is to help you Live Your Best Life through our evidence based, custom tailored Bio-identical Hormone Optimization Therapy. Contact us today to speak to an expert about how hormones could radically improve your quality of life.
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