Stress levels are at an all-time high in the U.S., say several studies, one of which notes that a staggering 87% of Americans are struggling with chronic stress due to inflation and an uncertain economy. By comparison, only 58% to 59% reported feeling stressed for the same reasons in 2021. Of course, inflation and a shaky economy are not the only things that have stress levels soaring in the United States. Many Americans say the possibility of a nuclear attack by Russia and the start of another world war also rank high on the list of things causing them to feel stressed. Along with aches, pains, tense muscles, and other physical symptoms of stress, many people develop mental illnesses because they can’t effectively cope with the stress in their lives.
How Stress Impacts Your Mental Health
Most are familiar with the physical manifestations of chronic stress, such as irritability, aggression, insomnia, fatigue, and exhaustion. But only a few know what constant exposure to life’s stressors can do to one’s mental health. When individuals encounter something or someone that causes them to feel stressed, the endocrine system’s adrenal glands begin to secrete larger-than-normal amounts of cortisol and adrenaline.
The acceleration in the production of these two hormones triggers what is known as the “fight or flight” response, a physiological response to either real or perceived danger. This response is supposed to keep us safe, but sometimes, it does more harm than good. The fight or flight response begins after adrenaline supplies the body with enough strength to fight off or flee from danger. After the fight or flight response is underway, cortisol begins regulating the body’s use of fats, proteins, carbohydrates, and metabolism to help prevent premature burnout, which can occur since the fight or flight response causes the following physiological effects:
- Increased heart rate
- The dilation of bronchi and increased respiration
- Mydriasis
- Pale or flushed skin
- The dilation of blood vessels used by muscles
- An increase in the conversion of glycogen to glucose
The more someone struggles with chronic stress, the more likely they are to have high cortisol levels in their blood. In addition to facilitating the fight or flight response, those high cortisol levels eventually penetrate the brain. When this happens, numerous psychological symptoms will present themselves. Some of these symptoms include irritability, emotional lability, and depression.
Science Explains How Excess Cortisol Can Destroy the Brain
Excess cortisol can lower serotonin levels in the brain. For those unaware, serotonin is a hormone and neurotransmitter that acts as a natural mood stabilizer and helps to regulate feelings of well-being and happiness. Even more shocking, this stress-induced hormone can alter and permanently destroy parts of the brain, namely in the hippocampus, a complex brain structure deep in the temporal lobe that plays a critical role in learning and memory. According to a study published by the National Library of Medicine, chronic stress can destroy neurons, the nerve cells responsible for sending and receiving signals from the brain, in the hippocampus. The study further notes the destruction of neurons in the hippocampus may lead to the onset or worsening of the following mental illnesses:
- Borderline personality disorder
- Depression
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Schizophrenia
How Essential Oils Can Help Relieve Chronic Stress
One way to combat stress before it gives way to a mental illness is by using essential oils. Studies show merely adding a stress relief essential oil blend, like lavender and patchouli or frankincense and clary sage oils, to a diffuser and allowing it to fill a room with a delightful aroma can do wonders for lowering high-stress levels. One study published in the Journal of Advanced Nursing revealed that aromatherapy comprising essential oil blends proved very effective in allowing intensive care patients to feel less stressed and anxious about their respective impending procedures.
Conclusion
In summation, chronic stress can lead to the onset or worsening of several mental health disorders, from anxiety and depression to schizophrenia and borderline personality disorder and everything in between. Fortunately, there are many ways to rein in out-of-control stress and simultaneously fend off most mental illnesses, from using essential oils and praying to meditating and cutting toxic people out of your life. Bearing that in mind, if you don’t have a go-to for coping with the stress in your life, there is no time like the present to pick one, especially if you’re already struggling with a mental illness.
