3 Surprising Effects Of Stress & What You Can Do About It

As exciting as university most certainly is - and as fun as it is striking out on your own for the first time - taking that first tentative step into adulthood can also be pretty overwhelming.

And that’s before you even factor in all the studying you have to do, the decisions you need to make that will affect the rest of your life, and the lessons you need to learn. It can be a very fraught time, compounded by the fact that there’s a huge amount of pressure placed on you to have fun, as well. It would certainly be unsurprising if you felt yourself floundering from time to time.

If you do feel as though it’s all getting on top of you a little bit right now, don’t panic. You’re definitely not alone and, in fact, you might be surprised at just how many of your peers feel the same way.

Studies show that 69 per cent of students face mental health challenges, including anxiety and stress, challenges that are significantly affecting academic participation… and yet, less than half of those affected in this way report their difficulties to their universities.

What’s worse, 65 per cent of those who do seek help express dissatisfaction with the support they receive.

Knowing where to go for help and not being afraid to ask for it will definitely help you deal with the pressure you’re under, but it’s also important to know how to help yourself, as well, finding coping strategies that work well for you to keep your stress levels under control.

With Stress Awareness Month now just a few days away, starting on April 1st, we thought we’d look at some of the more surprising effects that stress can have on the body - and what you can do to mitigate these successfully.

We’ve also teamed up with BetterHelp to offer a student mental health discount on professional, affordable and tailored therapy online.

With our BetterHelp discount, you can take advantage of 50 per cent off your first month of therapy, accessing counselling services online at any time and from any location via video, phone or chat.

Better mental health has never been more easily within reach!

What effects does stress have on the body?

Hair loss/alopecia

One particularly distressing effect of chronic stress is alopecia, where your hair starts to fall out. Emotional stress, whether that’s university pressure, loneliness, family issues, financial worries or the loss of a loved one, can trigger hormonal imbalances, which in turn can lead to hair loss.

This is known as telogen effluvium, where a general thinning of the hair occurs. This can be very upsetting indeed, but it’s important to remember that your hair will grow back… as long as you address the source of stress.

If you are experiencing hair loss and you think it might be down to stress, make an appointment with your GP so they can carry out some tests and discuss your options. Seeing a therapist or counsellor will likely be recommended if you’re dealing with chronic stress.

Digestive problems

Another very unglamorous side-effect of chronic stress is problems with your gut.

Our brains are directly connected to the stomach and intestines, and if you’re experiencing gut distress, it could be down to anxiety, stress, depression and so on. If you can’t identify an obvious physical cause for a stomach upset, it’s highly likely that there’s a brain connection going on.

There’s a growing body of research that suggests adopting psychological approaches can improve digestive symptoms more effectively than conventional medication - so finding ways to reduce your stress through relaxation techniquescould be just the ticket.

Techniques like breath focus, body scan meditation, guided imagery, mindfulness, repetitive prayer and tai chi have all been found to be effective at improving stress management.

Skin irritation

Stress really does manifest itself in some very inconvenient ways and something else you might encounter if you’re struggling at the moment is problems with your skin.

Our skin and brains communicate with each other and chronic stress can make your skin more vulnerable to inflammation, infection and irritation thanks to an overzealous sympathetic nervous system, which releases hormones like cortisol and adrenaline.

These then signal to glands in your skin to make more oil, which causes all sorts of problems. The good news, however, is that once you understand how stress affects your body, you can take steps to mitigate the effects, reducing stress and improving your resilience and mental, emotional and physical wellbeing.

Common skin conditions you’ll likely see flare up if you’re super stressed include acne, itching, psoriasis, rosacea, eczema, dermatitis and dandruff. This can actually increase your stress levels as skin conditions can be very sore and painful, so it’s important to get on top of this as quickly as possible if you can.

Aim to stick to your skincare routine as strictly as possible, even if you’re stressed and don’t feel like it. Simplify the routine if you need to, as something is always better than nothing.

Make sure you’re staying well hydrated and that you’re getting regular exercise, as well as following a healthy well-balanced diet with plenty of fresh fruit and veg. Avoid alcohol, caffeine, nicotine and anything highly processed, as this could all make your skin react.

Talking through your worries with a professional counsellor can also be very beneficial. A problem shared is a problem halved and there’s no need to go it alone when there’s plenty of support available out there.

And, finally, make sure that you’re prioritising sleep whenever and wherever you can. Aim to get seven to nine hours of sleep a night when possible and you’ll soon start to feel more like your old self once again.