Our Global Health Epidemic and How to Recognize the Symptoms: Chronic Stress

Stress, a natural response to sudden dangers and ongoing challenges, has been part of life since the dawn of human existence. However, recent studies are showing a dire picture of just how stressed we are in the 21st century. The situation is so dire that the World Health Organization has labeled stress a world health epidemic.

Almost three quarters of all Americans experience levels of stress that regularly and negatively affect their productivity, relationships, mental and physical health, and quality of life, as well as cause life-threatening health problems such as:

• Cardiovascular. Stress damages the heart and blood vessels, increases blood pressure, elevates the heart rate, and increases the risk of developing heart disease and stroke.
• Digestive. Stress brings on acid reflux and irritable bowel syndrome, alters gut motility, increases inflammation, and changes the composition of the gut microbiome.
• Type 2 diabetes. Cortisol released during stress increases blood glucose production.
• Immune system: Stress weakens the immune system, which makes the body more susceptible to infections and illnesses, and slows its ability to recover from diseases and heal from injuries.
• Mental health: Stress increases the risk for developing anxiety and depression, exacerbates existing mental health conditions, and can lead to problems with memory, concentration, and decision-making.

Causes of Stress

“Various factors contribute to the increased stress levels of the U.S. population,” said Dr. Ryan Sultan, M.D., board-certified psychiatrist and professor of clinical psychiatry at Columbia University. Some of the most common stressors are money, work, relationships, violence and crime, parenting, politics and the future of the nation, and health concerns.

Understanding stress, what situations trigger it, and what the symptoms of stress look like can help us develop strategies to deal with it and maintain a healthier, more balanced lifestyle. And one of the first steps to managing our stress is recognizing that we’re stressed.

Signs of Stress

Typically, the symptoms of stress go away when the triggering situation does, which enables our bodies and brains reset. However, stress that hangs around can be deadly; it can begin to ravage our bodies and brains. One problem is that stress isn’t always obvious; sometimes it’s lurking out of sight, just beneath the surface, leaving many people unaware that they’re stressed. That’s why it’s important to be able to recognize the physical and emotional symptoms stress can produce. They include:

• Incessant worry.

• Feeling jittery, body feeling off-balance, and dizziness.
• Difficulty concentrating.
• Feeling hot, and sweating from the forehead, armpits, and groin area.
• Diarrhea, upset stomach, excessive urination, and other digestive issues.
• Feeling irritable and angry.
• Feeling sad, and having a low outlook on life.
• Trouble making decisions, which can lead to poor choices and impulsive actions.
• Trouble sleeping at night, and daytime sleepiness.
• Frequent headaches.
• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, which can trigger panic attacks.
• Abnormal heartbeat and chest pain.
• Skin problems like acne, psoriasis, and eczema.
• Increased wrinkles, sagging skin, and hair loss.
• Developing colds and the flu frequently.
• Increased reliance on cigarettes, drugs, and alcohol to calm down.
• Cravings for and eating foods high in sugar, salt, and fat, which can cause weight gain.
• Worse-than-normal allergy symptoms.
• Irregular and painful menstrual cycles, decreased libido, and fertility issues in women; erectile dysfunction, reduced sperm production, and low testosterone levels in men.

Benefits of Stress

The silver lining in this thundercloud of despair is that not all stress is harmful. In fact, some research suggests that stress is beneficial to your health and well-being. The hormones released during stress can, for example, improve memory formation and recall, increase focus and attention, and boost creativity and problem-solving abilities. In addition, the ability to work through stressful situations strengthens our ability to cope with future challenges.

Jeff Krasno — co-founder and CEO of Commune, co-creator of Wanderlust, host of the Commune podcast, and author of Good Stress: The Benefits of Doing Hard Things — is a strong proponent of the notion that embracing stress might be the key to lasting well-being.

“We’re conditioned to seek comfort…avoiding confrontation, sticking to easy routines, and resisting change,” Jeff said. “But if we never expose ourselves to challenges, our nervous system becomes fragile, leaving us less equipped to handle life’s inevitable stressors.”

He added that stress “helps us build strength, resilience, and balance in all areas of life…and that small stressors — like embracing new experiences and learning to sit with discomfort — can create massive transformation.”

Managing Stress

Managing stress doesn’t mean eliminating it. That’s impossible. What is possible is finding ways to harness the benefits of stress, mitigate its damage, and learn to thrive in the face of challenges. Succeeding in this effort will better enable us to live healthier, more resilient, more fulfilling lives. Here are some proven stress management strategies to consider.

• Stress reduction strategies like meditation, deep breathing exercises, Yoga or tai chi, journaling, or massage.
• Lifestyle choices like prioritizing sleep; eating a balanced and nutritious diet; getting regular exercise; limiting caffeine, alcohol, and sugar; setting boundaries and learning to say no; and practicing time management and organization techniques.
• Techniques for building resilience like practicing gratitude and positive self-talk, developing a strong support network, engaging in activities that bring joy and relaxation, and learning and applying problem-solving skills.

“If you’re experiencing ongoing stress that’s wreaking havoc with your health, happiness, sleep, work, and important relationships, it might be time to seek professional help,” said Susan Greeley, MS, RDN, Senior Vice President / National Director Wellness Services, Castle Connolly Private Health Partners, LLC. “Many of us create unhealthy habits that we think are helping us cope. In reality, we need to address the causes and take deliberate action to lower and even master our stress, such as with support from a coach or a counselor.”  This critical step is particularly warranted in cases when a person is experiencing debilitating levels of anxiety or depression,  having thoughts of self-harm or suicide, or is regularly relying on unhealthy coping mechanisms like drugs or alcohol, or have lost joy for the life you’ve worked so hard to build.

Takeaway

Because our lives today are jam-packed with obligations and responsibilities, we all can expect to experience occasional stress. Fortunately, it’s usually short-term, and its unpleasant symptoms go away when the stressful situation passes. However, long-term stress is a sign that it might be time to get professional help in order to protect your mental and physical health.

When you’re ready for help, consider making your first stop at your CCPHP concierge physician’s office, where you can safely, comfortably, and thoroughly discuss your concerns and get information on how to manage your stress. Aside from offering diet, exercise, and relaxation techniques, your physician may also recommend medications and therapies. Remember that you also can tap the SENS Solution Wellness Program experts for proven and helpful tips for rediscovering your balance and peace of mind.

References

Gallup, 2018 Global Emotions Report, https://www.gallup.com/analytics/241961/gallup-global-emotions-report-2018.aspx

Neurolaunch, The Alarming Reality: How Many People Are Stressed in Today’s World?, https://neurolaunch.com/how-many-people-are-stressed/

National Institute of Mental Health, I’m So Stressed Out! Fact Sheet, https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/stress/index.shtml

Forbes, Stress Statistics and Facts in 2025, https://www.forbes.com/health/mind/stress-statistics/#footnote_1

Neurolaunch, 40 Facts About Stress and Management, https://neurolaunch.com/facts-about-stress/

Neurolaunch, Health Effects of Stress, https://neurolaunch.com/health-effects-of-stress-can-result-in-all-of-the-following-except/

Healthline, 30 Facts About Stress and Your Health, https://www.healthline.com/health/facts-about-stress#1-Stress-is-a-hormonal-response-from-the-body

Columbia University Department of Psychiatry, Ryan S Sultan, MD, https://www.columbiapsychiatry.org/profile/ryan-s-sultan-md

Well Wisp, Can You Be Stressed Without Knowing It?, https://wellwisp.com/can-you-be-stressed-without-knowing-it/

Dr. Mindy Pelz, How to Master Uncomfortable Interactions & Triumph, https://drmindypelz.com/ep280/

Psych Central, 10 Facts About Stress That Might Surprise You, https://psychcentral.com/stress/facts-about-stress#menstrual-cycle