The Body and Stress: How Prolonged Mental Stress Causes Physical Illness

I Was Just Stressed… Then I Got Sick!

Hi there! Let me tell you something that surprised me.

I used to think stress only lived in my head. But after a few tough weeks, my body started acting weird. I felt tired, my stomach hurt, and I got sick more often. What was going on?

Yep — you guessed it. Stress was the reason.

What Is Stress?

Stress is how our body reacts when life feels hard. Maybe you have too much schoolwork. Maybe something’s wrong at home. Your brain says, “Uh-oh!” and your body gets ready to fight or run.

Your heart beats faster. You breathe quickly. Muscles get tight. That’s normal — for a little while.

But What If Stress Stays Too Long?

That’s called chronic stress. It means stress that doesn’t go away.

And guess what? It starts to hurt your body. Here’s what happened to me (and what might happen to you too):

• Headaches
• Stomach aches
• Trouble sleeping
• Always tired
• Getting sick more often

It’s like your body is carrying a heavy bag all the time. Sooner or later, it just gives up.

Why Does This Happen?

When we’re stressed, our body makes something called cortisol. It helps us deal with hard stuff.

But too much cortisol, all the time, is not good. It wears down your heart, brain, and even your immune system (that’s what helps you fight sickness).

What Helped Me Feel Better

Here’s what I started doing — and it worked:

• Moving my body (walks, dancing, stretching)
• Talking to someone I trust
• Taking breaks from work or screens
• Getting good sleep and eating better
• Breathing slowly when I feel upset

These small things helped me feel more in control. My body started feeling better too.

One Last Thing

Your brain and body are a team. If your brain feels bad, your body will too. Don’t wait until you’re totally worn out.

Listen to your body. Take breaks. Ask for help.

I did — and it made a big difference.