{"id":602,"date":"2016-10-20T14:08:06","date_gmt":"2016-10-20T19:08:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/resources.swirca.org\/en\/?p=602"},"modified":"2024-01-12T14:25:29","modified_gmt":"2024-01-12T20:25:29","slug":"effects-chronic-stree","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/resources.swirca.org\/en\/effects-chronic-stree\/","title":{"rendered":"Effects of Chronic Stress"},"content":{"rendered":"

Effects of Chronic Stress<\/p>\n

Chronic stress can cause a variety of health problems, spanning from small issues to life-threatening diseases. \u00a0There are many steps that can be taken to alleviate stress.\u00a0 Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction exercise can help decrease the risk of developing certain diseases related to stress (Stults-Kolehmainen & Sinha, 2014).<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Stress is a common theme in the elderly population. \u00a0In the later years of life, things such as living situations, and normal every day activities become a source of stress because alterations need to be made due to new limitations. \u00a0New stressors for the elderly population may involve transportation and worrying how to get to and from their doctor appointments or the grocery store. In response to stress, people tend to participate in unhealthy behaviors.\u00a0 This may include a poor diet.\u00a0 Individuals experiencing stress may overeat or increase their caffeine consumption.\u00a0 Emotional coping such as unhealthy eating, lack of exercise, increased smoking, and use of alcohol increase the risk for cardiovascular disease (Stutls-Kolehminen & Sinha, 2014).<\/p>\n

When there is stress present, there is a decreased chance of performing any physical activity.\u00a0 One study showed that when individuals are chronically stressed, such as caregivers or those with a cancer diagnosis, physical activity is performed infrequently.\u00a0 This causes higher rates of obesity and results in increased healthcare costs. The more exercise an individual participates in directly correlates to lower stress levels in the body (Stults-Kolehmainen & Sinha, 2014)<\/p>\n

Having chronic stress has also been identified as a cause of impaired immune function.\u00a0 This damage has been shown to cause cells in the body to age faster. \u00a0Gallegos and her colleagues (2013) studied the effects of the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Program and how it relates to the function of the immune system and effect on the elderly. The study included 200 participants who were 65 years or older.\u00a0 The Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Program was 8 weeks long and included a 7-hour intensive session and weekly 120-minute sessions. \u00a0Labs were drawn at the beginning of the session and at the end of the 8 weeks to look at the body\u2019s immune function. The keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) shot was also given to test immunoglobulin levels.\u00a0 KLH is a protein in the body used to make antibodies. \u00a0Each participant also logged how he or she felt during each session (Gallegos et al., 2013).<\/p>\n

At the beginning and end of the study labs were drawn and analyzed to look at:<\/p>\n