How does stress physically affect your body over time?

Chronic stress triggers prolonged release of cortisol and adrenaline, which were designed for short-term emergencies but become damaging when sustained. Over time this leads to measurable physical harm across multiple systems. The cardiovascular system takes significant hits, with elevated blood pressure, arterial inflammation, and increased risk of heart attack and stroke. The immune system becomes suppressed, making you more vulnerable to infections and slower to heal. Digestive problems like irritable bowel syndrome and ulcers become more common as stress disrupts gut function. Chronic stress also shrinks the hippocampus in the brain, impairing memory and increasing depression risk. Muscles stay chronically tense, contributing to headaches and back pain. Sleep disruption compounds all these effects, creating a cycle that accelerates aging at the cellular level.