Four Keys to Combat the Effects of Stress and Anxiety on the Body

The effects of stress on my body lingered for months. Red, painful hives erupted beneath the top
layer of skin on my hands and arms; visible but unreachable. Finally, after enduring weeks of
itching and peeling skin, medication alleviated some of the discomfort. Perhaps your child or teen wrestles with anxiety. Or, in our post-pandemic world, you may struggle with chronic stress.

According to the National Institutes of Health, stress and anxiety lead to more than seventy-five
percent of the symptoms and diseases doctors treat. This includes issues such as headaches,
chronic pain, digestive issues, high blood pressure, diabetes, and even some cancers.
With such an array of problems associated with stress, how can we equip ourselves against it?
Begin by recognizing that some stress is positive. My son and his wife, for example, look
forward to the birth of their first child. While planning for a baby and caring for a newborn
fosters a level of stress, this sort of experience creates joy and anticipation. However, acute and
chronic stress does not.

Acute stress is an exciting, irritating, or mildly unfavorable event that can flood the body with
cortisol. Initiated by events or circumstances such as brief illness, work-related presentations, or
even fair rides. However, stress hormones soon normalize.

More pervasive, chronic stress involves either intensity or frequency. Examples include such
disturbing events and circumstances as pandemics, divorce, abuse, a punitive boss, loneliness, or
chronic illness.

Stress involves a reaction to circumstances or occurrences, while anxiety is a response to real or
imagined concerns and worries about the past or future. Unfortunately, the effects of chronic
stress and anxiety on the body are similar.

What are the Physical Effects of Stress and Anxiety on the Body?

Stress and anxiety both result in similar physical side effects. The Mayo Clinic records the most
immediate ramifications:
 Headaches
 Stomach aches
 Fatigue
 Insomnia
 Skin issues such as eczema and hives
 Loss of sex drive
 Increased illness

 Significant weight gain or weight loss

As mentioned earlier, long-term consequences include more serious issues, such as high blood
pressure, autoimmune disorders, and even some cancers.

What are the Mental and Emotional Effects of Stress on the Body?

My husband served boots-on-the-ground for twelve months. Every day, thoughts about his safety
intruded while I attempted to juggle the needs of my four children.

Pasting a smile on my face, I denied the burden of chronic stress on my weary soul but still
experienced several of the following:
 Feelings of hopelessness/helplessness
 Difficulty getting out of bed
 Disinterest in activities I once enjoyed
 Difficulty concentrating
 Increased anxiety and/or depression

Can you relate? Perhaps your stress level is at an all-time high as you mentally check off
multiple areas from each list in this article. Maybe you’ve begun imagining your next doctor’s
visit.

How to Overcome the Effects of Stress and Anxiety

Overcoming stress and anxiety can be drilled down to the principles of resilience.

1. Optimism: As a prisoner of a concentration camp during World War II, Corrie Ten Boom
understood chronic stress and anxiety. She and her sister, Betsy, survived unlivable
conditions. Forced to live in a crowded, flea-ridden hovel, Corrie complained to her sister.
Betsy, seeing beyond the circumstances expressed gratefulness for the bugs.
Not long after their conversation, soldiers refused to inspect the space due to the flea
infestation. As a result, the two sisters continued hosting their weekly Bible study
undisturbed. While Betsy died before the prisoners were released, her optimism forever
changed Corrie Ten Boom.

Dr. Michelle Bengston also demonstrates optimism to all who observe her life. Having
traveled a long journey with cancer, she recently released a devotional entitled Today is
Going to Be a Good Day: 90 Promises from God to Start Your Day off Right. No matter her
health situation or circumstance, my friend knows that because God’s promises are true,
each day holds beauty. Optimism is the first key to overcoming chronic stress, but more is
needed.

2. Cognitive Flexibility: Social science confirms what scripture has told us for thousands of
years—the mind is powerful. “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the

renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good
and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:12).
According to the National Science Foundation, at least seventy percent of our thoughts are
negative, and more than half of those are on repeat.
Developing cognitive flexibility involves reframing our perspective. For instance, I live with
fibromyalgia. A few years ago, the symptoms forced a decision. I either had to quit teaching
because my fibromyalgia made me too ill to continue, or I could choose to work from home
to tutor part-time and develop my ministry through writing and speaking. Do you notice the
difference between the two?
3. Active Coping: Passivity leads to a victim mentality and fosters helplessness. Do we believe
we are made in the image of God? Then we set goals to help ourselves care for our bodies,
minds, and spirits despite how we feel. Scripture tells us we “can do all things through
Christ” (Philippians 4:13).
Active coping looks like engaging in exercise, eating a healthy diet, and seeking resources
for yourself or your child or teen when anxiety becomes overwhelming. It may even involve
life coaching, counseling, or medication. Both knowledge and action must occur for active
coping to succeed.
4. Spiritual Life: It’s all about Jesus, isn’t it? Our core beliefs matter. Even the world and
secular science recognize the importance of “spiritual influences” and a personal moral
compass. Altruism, or making an impact in the lives of others, is a particularly important
aspect of this faith component.
James 2:17 reads, “Faith without works is dead.” Perhaps that is why our ‘doing’ for others
builds resilience in us. God designed us to sow love into the lives of others, and we
unknowingly receive the blessing.
Personal ‘soul care’ also impacts the management of and healing from chronic stress and
anxiety. Multiple studies indicate that private prayer improves optimism, reduces anxiety and
depression, and helps increase clarity of thought.
In a world of demands and deadlines, it can be challenging to make space for quiet moments
with God. But He created us for relationship with Him and even in those times, we receive
healing.

Matthew 11:28-30 reminds us that Jesus calls us away from stress to a place of rest, “Are you
tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover
your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I
do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep
company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”

Today, may we each release our burdens and walk in a place of freedom as we overcome stress
and cling to Christ.

For further reading, this blog contains 10 Techniques to Deal with Anxiety and this one provides
Physical, Mental, and Spiritual Ways to Reduce Anxiety.

Author Bio

Tammy Kennington is a writer and speaker familiar with the impact of trauma, mental health
issues, and parenting in hard places. Her desire is to lead women from hardship to hope and to
share the love of Christ with the young and young at heart. You can meet with Tammy as she
blogs each week at www.tammykennington.com or subscribe to receive a monthly dose of hope.

You can also connect with Tammy on:
Instagram Tammy L Kennington (@tammylkennington)
Twitter https://twitter.com/TammyKennington
Facebook Tammy L Kennington | Facebook