April is Stress Awareness Month
April is Stress Awareness Month. We have written on stress in the past and how it is often tied to many healthcare visits. This annual event is dedicated to shedding light on the modern plague that silently but significantly impacts our health and well-being: stress. As we navigate this complex, fast-paced world, understanding and managing stress has never been more crucial. Here, we will explore what stress is, its effects on our health, and why paying attention to it is not a luxury—it is a necessity, especially in today's world.
What is Stress?
Stress is the body's response to any demand or threat. When you perceive a challenge or danger, your body's defenses kick into high gear in a rapid, automatic process known as the "fight-or-flight" response (American Psychological Association, 2020). Stress isn't always bad; in moderate amounts, it can motivate us to perform under pressure and face challenges. Unfortunately, when stress becomes chronic, it can lead to serious health issues.
The Impact of Stress on Health
Chronic stress can wreak havoc on our bodies and minds. It is like running an engine on high for too long; eventually something will break down. Below shows how stress can affect different aspects of one’s health:
Mental Health: Chronic stress is a significant contributor to mental health disorders, including anxiety and depression (Mayo Clinic, 2021). It can cloud our thinking, making it harder to make decisions or see things in a positive light.
Heart Health: Stress increases heart rate and blood pressure, putting extra strain on the heart. Over time, this can contribute to heart disease (Harvard Health Publishing, 2020).
Weight and Metabolism: Stress affects our weight in complex ways. It can lead to unhealthy eating habits and a slower metabolism. Stress-induced hormonal changes can also promote fat storage, particularly around the abdomen (Cleveland Clinic, 2019).
Immunity: Under stress, our body's ability to fight off illness can weaken, making us more susceptible to infections and diseases (National Institute of Mental Health, 2021).
Addressing Stress: A Path to Better Health
Recognizing stress is the first step to managing it. Here are a few strategies to begin with:
Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques: Practices such as meditation, deep breathing, and yoga can help calm the mind and reduce stress (American Psychological Association, 2020).
Physical Activity: Regular exercise is a powerful stress reducer. It increases endorphins, improves mood, and can be a great way to take your mind off worries (Mayo Clinic, 2021).
Seek Support: Talking about your stressors with friends, family, or a professional can provide relief and offer new perspectives on challenging situations.
As we delve deeper into Stress Awareness Month, let's commit to becoming more mindful of our stress levels and taking proactive steps to manage stress. By doing so, we're not just improving our quality of life; we're safeguarding our health for the future.
R. Henderson
References
American Psychological Association. (2020). Stress in America™ 2020: A National Mental Health Crisis.
Mayo Clinic. (2021). Stress management.
Harvard Health Publishing. (2020). The effects of stress on your body.
Cleveland Clinic. (2019). How Stress Affects Your Body.
National Institute of Mental Health. (2021). 5 Things You Should Know About Stress.
Longevity or Healthspan...Why Not Both?
As we age, we become increasingly aware of the importance of maintaining our health and prolonging our lives. However, it's important to understand that healthspan and longevity are two distinct concepts, and while they are related, they are not interchangeable. In this article, we'll discuss the differences between healthspan and longevity and why it's important to focus on both as we age.
Healthspan refers to the number of years we live in good health, free from chronic disease and disability. Essentially, it's a measure of our overall quality of life as we age. Longevity, on the other hand, refers to the length of time we live. While it's possible to live a long life, remaining healthy for the majority of it is not guaranteed. In fact, many people may live for years with chronic conditions that greatly reduce their quality of life.
So, why focus on both healthspan and longevity? For one, living a long life does not mean much if we are not able to enjoy it due to poor health. Many of the behaviors and lifestyle choices that promote good healthspan, such as regular exercise and a healthy diet, can also increase our longevity. By focusing on both, we can improve our quality of life in the present while also increasing our chances of living a long, healthy life.
In 2021 Nature Partner Journals (npj) published the article Longevity leap: mind the healthspan gap. In this article is a figure that shows the difference of healthspan and longevity. Below is the figure:
The figure above shows a nine year discrepancy between healthspan and expected longevity based on 2020 data.
Garmany, A., Yamada, S. & Terzic, A. Longevity leap: mind the healthspan gap. npj Regen Med 6, 57 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41536-021-00169-5
Reviewing the figure, one can see from the authors’ data from 2020, there is a 9.2 year difference between expected healthspan and life expectancy or longevity (Garmany, 2021). This plainly shows the disparity between living a longer life and living a healthy long life.
While healthspan and longevity are different concepts, they are both important for overall health and well-being as we age. By focusing on both, we can improve our quality of life in the present while also increasing our chances of living a long, healthy life. Making healthy lifestyle choices now instead of when it is too late down the road, helps promote both healthspan and longevity. This is how we do not have to play “catch up” with our health.
References:
Garmany, A., Yamada, S. & Terzic, A. Longevity leap: mind the healthspan gap. npj Regen Med 6, 57 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41536-021-00169-5