Stress and the Impact It Can Have on Health and Recovery

Stress Awareness Day highlights the effects stress can have on our physical and mental wellbeing - and how to manage it before it takes a lasting toll. Stress can contribute to serious health conditions, including high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, headaches, insomnia, and more. It can also have a significant impact on how we recover from illness, injury, or trauma.

Types of stress

Not all stress is the same. Different types of stress affect the body and mind in different ways.

Short-term stress

Many of us deal with everyday pressures - deadlines at work, a growing to-do list at home, or the scramble to prepare for a school event. This is often referred to as short-term stress. While we should all take steps to reduce stress where possible, these types of daily demands are usually manageable in the short term.

Chronic stress

Chronic stress involves long-term, continuous strain that takes a serious toll on physical and mental health.

“Chronic stress affects both the mind and body. It produces both physical and psychological symptoms that can take a toll on a person’s ability to function normally in their daily life,” explains author Elizabeth Scott.

“Some potential complications related to chronic stress include acne, depression, diabetes, eczema, heart disease, high blood pressure, hyperthyroidism, irritable bowel syndrome, ulcers and weight changes.”

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

PTSD is a mental health condition caused by a frightening, stressful, or life-threatening event. Symptoms include flashbacks, nightmares, insomnia, and memory loss. PTSD often requires treatment from a trained professional and can have a profound impact on both mental and physical health - similar to chronic stress.

Negative health effects of stress

Stress can influence the way we feel, act, and recover.

“The psychological impact of stress can impact emotional states, leading to behaviours that negatively influence immune function; particularly affecting sleep, nutrition and exercise,” explains Life Care, a physiotherapy and sports medicine provider.

“All of these factors lead to poorer immune response and healing, thus delaying recovery. Stress will negatively impact on injury recovery, for example, delaying healing of a muscle tear.”

High stress levels can also increase the production of cortisol, a hormone that suppresses immune function. This makes us more vulnerable to infections and illnesses - and slows the recovery process for those healing from injury or surgery.

Stress and recovery

When someone is recovering from a traumatic injury or medical negligence, both physical and mental health play a pivotal role. If stress is unmanaged - or if PTSD is involved - recovery may be more complex and take longer.

At Tessa Gough Associates, our expert witnesses are selected based on their experience and their ability to assess and understand the impact of trauma and stress. We understand that injury doesn’t just affect the body - and our reports reflect the real-world complexities of physical and psychological recovery.