These days, stress seems to be a way of life, but as research shows time and again, chronic stress can lead to serious health problems such as depression, anxiety and more. “Chronic stress can affect the cardiovascular system with increased risk for high blood pressure, heart attack and stroke,” says William O. Roberts, M.D., MS, professor at the University of Minnesota.
“What’s more, continued stress over long periods of time overexposes and saturates the brain with stress hormones like cortisol.” Then when stress is reduced, you suddenly feel relief because the chemical assault on your brain is arrested and you return to a normal state, Roberts explains.