Is it true that stress shortens your life span?

I'm just curious, b/c I know some people who have had a tremendously stressful life, but they're well into their 80's. But a lot of stuff online tells me that stress does shorten you life span. Please answer!Is it true that stress shortens your life span?
if the stress is serious enough and lasts long enough and you have genetic dispositions for other health issues in your family then yes, stress can shorten your life span. but it really is different for different people. if you are under stress right now then you need to contact your family doctor and let him/her know that you are under a lot of stress and have them check your blood pressure and heart rate just to make sure that you are doing okay in those areas. you might also want to see about doing Tai Chi or yoga to help with your stress levels.


MANY BLESSINGS TO YOU!Is it true that stress shortens your life span?
There are a great number of factors that effect longevity of life. Stress can shorten your life span as well as cause all kinds of other health problems (heart, circulatory system etc...) Stress during your younger years causes longer lasting effects on your system than stress at older ages. What you consider stress may not be stress to others, so you should consider that as well.
Research indicates that stress can increase illness and inflammation and thus, may affect life expectancey. Stress can take on many different forms, and can contribute to symptoms of illness. Common symptoms include headache, sleep disorders, difficulty concentrating, short-temper, upset stomach, job dissatisfaction, low morale, depression, and anxiety, sleep disturbances, and low energy. Part of the reason for this may be the effects of the physiological responses in your body that happen when you are stressed. In response to stress, our bodies undergo a cascade of physiological events which help us cope with the stressful situation. Perception of a stress activates the sympathetic nervous system (SNS), a process known as the “fight or flight” response, which mobilizes energy to help us respond to the stress. For example, activation of the SNS diverts blood flow away form the stomach and digestion to the heart and lungs to prepare for a possible need to run away form a threat. Stress also increases release of cortisol from our adrenal glands, which further contributes to redirecting energy toward dealing with stress and away from other bodily functions. At the conclusion of the stress, all these reactions are reduced to normal levels, and the body quickly returns to its state or balance, or “homeostasis';. This is a normal pattern of stress responsivity and recovery, and when this happens, we remain healthy in our minds and bodies and, importantly, ready to respond to the inevitable stresses that will come our way.





Well, note that a critical part of the “stress cycle” described above is the stressful situation ending, and the body recovering. When stress does not end, as you are describing, or when stresses come rapidly and for a long time, one after another, the body does not have time to recover, and the stress becomes chronic. Chronic stress prolongs activation of the SNS and the cortisol response. This extended activity of the physiological stress response can cause what some ';physiological exhaustion'; which can be characterized by what you describe. It's your body telling you it needs a break for the stress. Sleep is great, but you may need to do other things too.





At the core of stress management are things like following a healthy diet, getting regular exercise, and making time for uninterrupted relaxation, even if it’s just a few minutes a day. Happily, research has shown that people, even those living busy and stressful lives, can avoid many of the negative effects of stress when they implement and stick to stress-management techniques.
It can, can cause blood pressure and cardiac problems, some people even link it to cancer. On the other hand there are people that have lived horribly stressful lives but somehow manage to thrive, I believe attitude has a lot to do with that.
Hi,





Yes. Its definately true. I suggest you should try some meditation. Here's a technique for you to learn Transcendental Meditation.





http://the-transcendental-meditation.blo…





Thanks,


James
I definately think so. I believe it's possible that humans would live well into their hundreds without stress maybe even older but we would never know because as long as humans have been around there has always been incredible amounts of stress...
It has lot to do with each individual how and what level they are able to deal with stress.
Yes, but it makes it worth living.
it sure does