00:00Number one, tense muscles. When you're under stress, your body goes into that fight or flight mode.
00:05That means muscles in your neck, shoulders and jaw tighten, ready to respond to danger, even though the danger is usually in your inbox or daily pressures.
00:15Over time, this constant tension can cause headaches, back pain and even problems with your posture.
00:21Number two, gut issues. Your gut and brain are closely linked through what we call the gut-brain axis.
00:31Stress hormones like cortisol change how your gut moves and how sensitive it is.
00:37That's why stress can trigger diarrhea in some people, constipation in others or just general bloating and cramps.
00:44It's the classic butterflies in your stomach, but on a bigger, more uncomfortable scale.
00:50Number three, a racing heart. Now, when you're stressed, your body pumps out adrenaline to prepare you for action in case you need to run away from danger.
01:01That can increase your heart rate and blood pressure. If it happens occasionally, it's OK, it's normal.
01:07But if you're constantly stressed, your heart is constantly working harder than it should.
01:13And long term, that isn't good for your heart, your brain or your blood pressure. And you really need to work on that.
01:19Number four, skin flare ups. This is what happens to me. Stress raises cortisol, which makes your skin produce more oil.
01:29That's why acne can worsen. At the same time, stress slows healing and weakens your skin barrier.
01:36So conditions like eczema and psoriasis often flare when life feels overwhelming.
01:42And finally, number five, brain fog. Stress doesn't just affect your mood, it affects your memory centre, the hippocampus.
01:51You might find it harder to concentrate, forget small details or just feel like your thoughts are a bit fuzzy.
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