How Does Stress Affect the Body? Exploring Physical Symptoms and Aches

February 20, 2025

Stress is an inevitable part of daily life. Whether it's work deadlines, financial pressures, or personal responsibilities, everyone experiences stress to some degree. While a certain level of stress isn’t likely to be too damaging, chronic or intense stress can start to take its toll on your body. Over time, this can lead to uncomfortable and even debilitating physical symptoms of stress. Learning how to manage the effects of stress on the body effectively is important to support your overall health and well-being.

How does stress affect the body physically? In this article, we’re discussing stress and body aches that often accompany it. Learn about short-term reactions and long-term consequences of leaving stress unchecked, plus some tools like zero gravity chairs that may help you get relief.

How Does Stress Affect the Body?

Like many, you may be asking the question, “How can stress affect your body?” When stress levels rise, your body reacts almost immediately. Your nervous system releases hormones like cortisol and adrenaline that trigger the "fight or flight" response. It’s a reaction that might be helpful in small doses to keep you alert and respond to challenges, but it’s problematic and can lead to physical symptoms of stress manifesting if it goes on too long.

The effects of stress on the body can manifest in a wide range of ways. You may have symptoms like elevated blood pressure, increased heart rate, muscle tension, or fatigue. Tension headaches are another common effect of stress on the body.

While some of the effects of stress and body aches fade once you’ve calmed down, others can linger and even worsen over time. This is why it’s so vital to learn how to de-stress and recharge as part of your self-care routine. Even a few minutes each day can be enough to keep stress levels in check and reduce physical symptoms of stress on your body.

Additional Info: The effects of stress on the body can show up in many ways, not just as a headache, fatigue, or dizziness. Check out our guide on “How Does Stress Affect Your Musculoskeletal System?” after this article to learn more.

Long-Term Effects of Stress on the Body

You should also be aware of how stress affects your health in the long term. Chronic stress doesn’t just cause temporary discomfort; it can lead to health concerns that negatively impact your overall quality of life over time. When your body stays in a state of stress for extended periods of time, you increase the risk of developing serious conditions. Stress can contribute to everything from chronic pain to higher risk of heart disease.

Some of the potential long-term effects of chronic stress include:

Consistent muscle tension and body aches
Chronic headaches or migraines
Increased risk of heart attack or stroke due to high blood pressure
Weakened immune system that leads to being sick more often
Digestive issues
Sleep problems, including insomnia or sleeping too much
Increased risk of anxiety and depression

When you ask the question, “How does stress affect the body?” it’s important to take a look at your own experiences to see where it may be manifesting already. Recognizing physical symptoms of stress is vital to getting it under control and preventing the effects of potential long-term damage.

Physical Symptoms of Stress

Let’s take a look at the physical symptoms of stress. While stress can affect your body in a number of ways, certain symptoms are more common than others. These will vary from person to person, but they could interfere with daily activities and lead to stress related health problems.

Some of the most common physical effects of stress on the body are:

Headaches or dizziness
Shoulder, neck, and back pain from stress
Chest pain or increased heart rate
Feelings of fatigue and low energy levels
Sleep problems
Digestive issues

1. Headaches or Dizziness

When you’re asking the question, “How can stress affect your body?” some of the most common ways you’ll find are headaches or dizziness.

Stress is a major contributor to tension headaches and migraines. When your body is experiencing stress, your muscles tend to tighten subconsciously. This can lead to the development of tension headaches or even migraines. Stress may also lead to negative changes in blood circulation that can result in dizziness or feeling lightheaded. These physical symptoms of stress can make it difficult for you to focus and complete tasks throughout your day.

2. Shoulder, Neck, and Back Pain From Stress

Another of the most common physical effects of stress on the body is muscle tension in the shoulders, neck, and back. As previously mentioned, stress causes your muscles to contract as part of your body’s natural defense mechanism. When stress becomes constant, it can result in muscle tension that adds to chronic pain. Unfortunately, this type of pain can make it harder to relax and unwind, lending itself to a self-feeding negative cycle of stress and body aches.

3. Chest Pain or Increased Heart Rate

Stress can have a direct impact on your cardiovascular health. Many people experience chest pain, heart palpitations, or an increased heart rate when they’re feeling stressed out. Having these feelings on occasion usually isn't a big concern, but having them often can put added strain on your heart and increase your risk for long-term cardiovascular issues.

You should take stress-related chest pain or discomfort very seriously because sometimes it’ll mimic symptoms of a heart condition. Always consult your doctor for professional medical guidance.

4. Feelings of Fatigue and Low Energy Levels

If you’ve ever had a very stressful day, then you know chronic stress can be exhausting. Your body, being in a constant state of alertness, uses up energy reserves and can make you feel tired or fatigued. People who are under a lot of stress often feel drained even after a full night’s sleep.

This physical symptom of stress can make even the smallest of your tasks feel overwhelming, reducing your motivation and making it harder to stay productive throughout the day.

5. Sleep Problems

Stress and sleep problems often go hand in hand. High-stress levels can make it hard to fall asleep or stay asleep throughout the night. Once your circadian rhythm is off, it’s sometimes challenging to get it back on track if your stress continues.

Some people may also find themselves sleeping too much because of elevated stress levels. If left unchecked, poor sleep quality can compound your stress levels and create a cycle of exhaustion.

6. Digestive Issues

Experts agree on the link between the effects of stress on the body and digestive issues. Some of the physical symptoms of stress as digestive issues can include stomach pain, nausea, bloating, diarrhea, or constipation. It may also make existing conditions like IBS worse. This is partly to do with your body’s gut-brain connection, where stress can directly influence digestion and gut function.

Managing the Effects of Stress on the Body

While stress is an unavoidable part of life, there are tools and techniques that can help manage the physical symptoms of stress. Getting enough exercise, practicing meditation tips for beginners to get started, doing deep breathing exercises, and having a healthy diet may all help reduce stress. You can also try massage therapy, stretching, and drinking more water to help alleviate muscle tension and relax more.

Some of the most effective tools for stress relief are zero gravity chairs. These chairs are designed to distribute your body weight evenly, which could reduce excess pressure on your spine and lower muscle tension throughout your body. Reclining into the zero gravity position, these recliners may help ease stress and body aches. Luxury zero gravity chairs may also have features like heat therapy and massage functions that will deepen your relaxation and support your well-being.

Other potential zero gravity chair benefits include:

Better blood circulation
Reduced swelling
Improved digestive health
Stronger immune system
Getting more restorative sleep

Each of these are factors that play a part in managing the physical effects of stress on the body. Consider zero gravity chairs as an integral part of your home relaxation room ideas to help you manage stress and improve your overall quality of life.

Take Control Over Stress and Body Aches

You can’t totally avoid stress, but that doesn’t mean it has to control your body. Recognizing the physical symptoms of stress will help you take proactive steps to minimize its impact on your life now and in the future. By practicing stress management techniques and using tools like zero gravity recliners, you may improve your ability to recover and shed the effects of stress on the body. Managing stress isn’t just about mental health — it’s about taking care of your entire body.

Disclaimer: This content is not medical advice. Please consult with your healthcare professional when considering implementing changes to your health or workout routines to ensure it’s compatible with your needs.