Chronic stress is often referred to as a "silent killer" because its long-term, damaging effects can accumulate without obvious, immediate symptoms. The physical toll of unmanaged stress can significantly increase the risk of serious health conditions and even lead to premature death.
Here is how chronic stress can be a silent killer:
- Gradual and hidden damage. Unlike sudden illnesses, the effects of long-term stress can build up slowly over time. This makes it easy for many people to dismiss or ignore their symptoms until a major health problem arises.
- Affects multiple systems. Stress attacks every cell in the body, affecting physical and mental health. It impacts the cardiovascular, immune, and endocrine systems, among others.
- Escalates risk for major diseases. Chronic stress is a major contributing factor to many of the leading causes of death, including:
- Heart disease: Uncontrolled stress elevates blood pressure, increases cholesterol, and raises heart rate, which can lead to hypertension, heart attacks, and sudden cardiac death.
- Cancer: Stress can weaken the immune system, leaving the body more vulnerable to diseases and potentially affecting the development of cancerous tumors.
- Mental illness: High levels of stress are associated with depression, anxiety disorders, and substance use disorders, all of which carry health risks.
- Interferes with healthy habits. People under chronic stress may turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms, such as poor eating habits, lack of exercise, or increased use of alcohol and drugs, which further damage health.
- Goes unrecognized. Stress symptoms are often subtle or mistaken for other issues. Headaches, trouble sleeping, and fatigue may be wrongly blamed on other factors instead of the underlying stress.
“As we enter the final stretch of 2025, many of us feel the weight of unfinished goals (episode 99, Finish Strong), family demands, and the hustle of the holidays. But what if we finished this year not burned out — but balanced, peaceful, and strong in spirit?”
1. Pause and Reflect Instead of Rush and React
2. Care for the Body
3. Strengthen the Spirit
4. Guard the Mind
5. Connect with Purpose and People
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For more information about the hosts, please visit their websites and follow them on social media:
Dr. Glenda Shepard - Doctor of Nursing Practice/Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner/Certified Nutrition Coach/Certified Personal Trainer/Certified Intrinsic Coach
https://www.triumphantwomancoaching.com/
FB - https://www.facebook.com/glenda.shepard1
Robin McCoy - Certified McIntyre Seal Team Six Coach and John Maxwell Team Trainer/Speaker/Coach
https://www.thewellnessfactor.coach/
IG - https://www.instagram.com/RobinRMcCoy
FB - https://www.facebook.com/robin.mccoy1
Produced by KB Podcasts
Music from https://app.soundstripe.com/
