Body signs of stress

The best way to conquer stress is to heed your body's early warning system. We show you how to recognise the different symptoms

THEY are the classic signs of stress - tense shoulders, throbbing head and a sudden increase in irritability. But medical evidence is mounting to suggest that the real effects of a stressful life are far more extensive.

From the brain to our feet, the cumulative burden of living with stress day in and day out can be measured in virtually every part of our body. These effects can vary from skin blemishes to potentially fatal damage to the heart.

Last year, for example, Swedish researchers discovered stressed women were twice as likely to develop breast cancer.

"Many people with stress are very aware of how it is affecting their body," says Ashok Gupta, director of the Harley Street Stress Management Clinic. "But others just keep going because they may not realise what their body is telling them. I deal with people all the time who have stress but have also developed physical illnesses as a result."

Prolonged pressure in life is damaging because our bodies were designed only to cope with short bursts of stress. The so-called "fight or flight" syndrome - where the heart pounds, blood is diverted to the muscles and breathing becomes more shallow - is meant to help us either flee or do battle with potential enemies.

"Our stress response is designed to deal with physical threats," says Gupta. "But in the modern world the stresses are mental rather than physical. There's nothing wrong with this unless it becomes continuous - in which case it can become toxic to the body."

So how does daily pressure affect different parts of the body and what can you do to combat the effects?

For more information visit www.harleystressclinic.com