Unmasking the Hidden Impact of Chronic Stress on the Body

The Luminous Body Podcast

Send us a text

The fight or flight response is a critical part of human evolution. When faced with an immediately dangerous situation, our bodies react by diverting all of our energy and resources toward things that are going to help our survival - blood to the muscles, pupil dilation, and a quickened heartbeat. Other less critical functions are sidelined, only to be called back into action when the coast is clear. When stress becomes an inescapable part of life, those systems face a constant shutdown.
Forgotten keys and passwords, no willpower when it comes to snacking, constant coughs and colds - we’re often quick to blame ourselves for these ‘flaws’. Whilst that seems like an easy answer, the reality is that the truth lies far deeper (and is far more complicated!). On this week’s episode of the Luminous Body podcast, we’re diving into the sneaky signs and symptoms that might indicate your stress is starting to get a little out of control! We’ll be investigating 4 systems (the immune, metabolic, cardiovascular, and cognitive) where stress can have a very real impact. These systems all have vital roles in keeping us functioning as productive humans in our daily routine and have their own unique relationships with the stress hormone, cortisol. We’ve cleverly evolved to have stress as a fantastic call to action when we need to survive a dangerous situation in the immediate present. But if your ever familiar with the saying, it’s true - you can have too much of a good thing! Our bodies weren’t designed to be exposed to consistent and persistent stress. From affecting memory, to changing your immune responses, to increasing potential risks for some of the most common lifestyle diseases, the effect of stress on the body can’t be underestimated! We’ll help you understand the science behind these systems, and how stress can influence them, for better or for worse. Often we try an avoidance coping mechanism with stress, which unfortunately becomes a cyclical catch-22: the more we avoid dealing with it, the worse we deal with stress. But by arming you with knowledge, you’ll be better equipped, you’ll have the confidence to recognise the manifestation of stress in your own body. You are your own most powerful tool for learning!
We’re helping you spot the signs:
🧫 Constantly catching colds and feeling run down? How stress affects your immune system
🍟 It’s not just a matter of low willpower: the link between weight, diet, and stress
🫀 Explaining the impact of stress on the cardiovascular system
🧠 Why stress makes us forget things and struggle to cope with our emotions
Get ready to unlock your inner light and start healing from within!
Unsure of where to start on your own stress management path? We get it - with so much information out there, even dealing with stress starts to sound… well, stressful! But we’ve got you covered. We’ve created a FREE e-book for you that gives our best practical advice and actionable strategies to learn how to regulate your emotions and create a well-balanced and resilient mindset! You can find your free do

If you’re ready to start your holistic health journey, we’d love to help you take that first step - feel free to head to our website to contact us for any information or to book your appointment now: https://www.luminousbody.co/
And if you had any comments on the show, any questions you might want answered, or you just want to connect - reach out to us directly on social media @hilary.conroy and @drjaxsonwearing
If something in this episode resonates with you or concerns you in regards to your own health, speak to your health professional for tailored advice to your own needs.