How Does Stress Affect the Body Long-Term?
Discover how chronic stress affects the body over time, from hormones to brain health and when to seek support from a mental health professional near you.
STRESS
Khushboo- Psychologist
8/11/20251 min read
While short-term stress can be adaptive, helping us respond to challenges; long-term stress can significantly impact physical and psychological health. When the body is exposed to prolonged stress, it remains in a heightened state of arousal. This disrupts vital systems, including immunity, digestion, and sleep.
Chronic stress activates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, leading to continuous release of cortisol, the body’s primary stress hormone. Elevated cortisol levels, over time, can impair memory, reduce immune function, increase blood pressure, and contribute to cardiovascular disease. Studies published in The Journal of Psychosomatic Research have linked sustained stress with increased risk for metabolic disorders, including Type 2 diabetes and obesity.
Mentally, chronic stress can alter brain structure and function. Research in Molecular Psychiatry indicates that prolonged exposure to stress may shrink the hippocampus, the brain region involved in learning and memory, and heighten activity in the amygdala, which regulates fear and anxiety responses.
Many individuals also report somatic symptoms, such as tension headaches, gastrointestinal discomfort, and chronic fatigue; without recognising stress as the root cause. These manifestations often lead people to seek physical treatment, while the psychological component remains unaddressed.
If you are noticing persistent health issues with no clear medical explanation, it may be helpful to consult a mental health professional near you who is experienced in mind-body stress interventions. Searching online for a "good therapist near me" can connect you to someone trained in identifying and treating stress-related conditions holistically.
