Effects of Stress on the Body, Mind, and Behavior

Life is full of stressful events such as health problems, physical pain, financial difficulties, demanding work, and difficult relationships. Additional stressors are related to the many technological advances that have increased the pace and complexity of our lives. Time pressure, the feeling that "we do not have enough hours in the day," is common in our modern world.

Chronic stress can have significant impact on your body as well as your thoughts, feelings, and behavior. Chronic stress can contribute to health problems such as high blood pressure, diabetes, autoimmune disorders, and heart disease.

In addition to its impact on physical health, stress can also affect your mind, mood, and behavior so that you may experience:

If you are experiencing some or many of the conditions and symptoms listed above and you are willing to actively engage in your own health and well-being, you may benefit from the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) course.   MBSR teaches simple, profound practices that can decrease suffering and bring greater balance and peace even in the midst of stress, pain, and illness.