Too much stress can destroy our health, plain and simple.
This raises prolactin levels,increasing the body’s sensitivity to pain1such as backaches and muscle aches.
You’re not sleeping well.
Cortisol levels are supposed to drop at nighttime, allowing your body to relax and recharge.
Too muchstress can cause you to toss and turn all night4and feel tired again the next day.
Even when you sleep well, you’re still tired.
Over time,high levels of cortisol deplete the adrenal glands5and predispose you tochronic fatigue.
You’re gaining weight.
You catch colds and other infections easily.
You crave unhealthy foods.
You don’t have a sex drive.
When stress hormones are high,libido-inducing hormones like testosterone drop.
Your gut acts up.
Your gastrointestinal system is very sensitive to stresshormones like cortisol.
You feel anxious.
Cortisol and epinephrine can lead to jitters, a nervous stomach, feelings of panic, and even paranoia.
You feel blue.
High levels of cortisol suppress production of serotonin9, and next thing you know, you feel gloomy.