More and more people are feeling stressed and anxious in recent years, according to research published by the American Psychiatric Association. Experts say phone-based interconnectedness is raising “low-level stress,” which can have major impacts on both mental and physical health. Low-level stress is stress that constantly simmers under the surface; you may not even clock it as stress at all, as it feels more like stimulation.
Dr. Jace Reed, the director of emergency psychiatry at Cedars Sinai in California, noted that low-level stress is something that’s becoming more apparent, especially with how interconnected we are. You likely wake up to an alarm on your phone with near-constant news alerts and social media pushes, and you use your phone for work where emails and requests from co-workers come in at all hours. This adds to baseline stress levels.
Physical Health Impacts
Low-level stress can cause physical health issues in addition to disruptions to mental health. When stress is persistent and people aren’t getting needed breaks, they experience increased firing of sympathetic nerves and changes in stress hormones, which can lead to changes in cardiovascular health, including increased blood pressure and increased heart rate. Low-level stress can cause appetite changes, sleep changes, headaches, and even general body aches. Skin problems such as eczema can be a result of underlying stress and anxiety. Different gastrointestinal issues can also occur, with stress leading to stomach pain, diarrhea, and worsening issues like irritable bowel syndrome.
Both experts noted that you can’t completely eliminate stress, but you can keep low-level stress in a healthy range. First, everything starts with diet and exercise. Eating a balance of nutritious foods and working in some movement throughout the week can help you feel better. Practicing self-care is also important. Taking five minutes a day to practice mindfulness, whether through deep breathing, meditation, or going on a short walk to disconnect, can help. Building in breaks from digital notifications, even at work, can benefit that low-burning, underlying stress.
This article is an AI-assisted summary. All facts and figures are drawn from the original report: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/low-level-stress-health-problems_l_69a99aaee4b00b027e3370ba