Iowa Nurse Reporter - June 2022

June, July, August 2022 Iowa Nurse Reporter • Page 9
How Stress Affects the Physical Body
Nicole Cerrini BSN, RN
Ascension Macomb – Nurse Supervisor
Operating Room
We are often consumed with how stress can
cause us to experience mood changes, sleep pattern
disruptions and overall anxiety. But what about the
physical symptoms that appear and become chronic?
Gastrointestinal (GI) distress, headaches, back pain,
TMJ, hormonal imbalances and extreme fatigue (to
name a few) can all be the result of stress.
So how do we know if our physical ailments
are the result of stress, and how do we treat it?
Learning to listen to your body is the first step in
understanding if what you’re experiencing is directly
related to stress. Do you find that your stomach gets
upset when you have a lot going on, or you tend
to lose your appetite (or eat more) when you feel
overwhelmed? These are both signs that your body
is battling an internal imbalance, not a stomach bug.
We’ve been conditioned to believe that any and all
physical symptoms must be attributed to a true
medical condition, instead of looking at it from a
holistic perspective.
There are definitely circumstances where you
may in fact have a medical condition and may need
specific treatment, but it should become a habit to
analyze outside factors that may be contributing to
your symptoms. The dreaded culprit of back pain
is another good example. There are millions of
people suffering from back pain in our country, and
a lot of times physicians are quick to recommend
invasive procedures or prescription medication to
help alleviate their symptoms. Chemical and physical
reactions take place in your body when you are
under stress, causing an involuntary tightening of
your muscles due to an increase in cortisol and
adrenaline levels. This can display as back pain in
certain individuals and may branch out to include
other physical symptoms.
Becoming aware that physical symptoms may be
related to stress is the first step in treating these
ailments at the root cause instead of masking them.
Once you’re able to reflect and listen to your body,
the next step is to make it a priority to listen to
your needs! Holistic therapies are often neglected
as a primary means of treatment. Analyzing the
body through this perspective allows for a unique
approach that focuses on physical, emotional, and
spiritual health that develops a plan to align and
balance the body.
Specific treatment therapies that are ideal for
treating physical symptoms caused by stress include
nutrition plans, mindset exercises, meditation,
breathwork, hypnosis, reiki and many other
modalities. Nutrition is one of the most important
variables in your health, especially as it relates
to stress and overall wellness. The term “food is
medicine” was coined for a reason; how you fuel
your body can have a direct impact on preventing
and treating physical ailments. Try to keep an open
mind when it comes to your health, and don’t
disregard alternative therapies in your quest for relief
of physical symptoms!
Nurses are the heart of our mission.
When you join Avera, your career opportunities are endless:
• Leadership opportunities
• Award-winning facilities
• Innovative technology
• Continuing education
To help recruit and retain talented people,
Avera is investing in its workforce.
Nursing opportunities
in a variety of settings, including:
Competitive pay and benefits:
• One week of paid time off front-loaded
for new hires
• Free individual health insurance and
competitive rates on other plans
• Student loan repayment program for
select positions
• Employee discount program
Apply at AveraJobs.org
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