Chronic stress can have negative effects on people’s health, and research from University College London suggests that it alters the functioning of the immune system, nervous system, and hormones. The study found that financial concerns were one of the most harmful sources of stress, with disruptions in the balance between the immune system and hormone production leading to various health issues.
The research team analyzed blood samples from over 5,000 subjects aged over 50, measuring markers related to inflammation and immune response. These markers helped categorize individuals into high, moderate or low-risk groups for illness. Factors such as financial worries, physical disability, long-term illness, death of a loved one, divorce and family care were examined to determine their association with health risks. Financial worries emerged as the most detrimental stressor due to its impact on overall quality of life. Long-term financial concerns were particularly concerning as they could lead to social isolation and basic needs not being met.
However, physical disability appeared to reduce the risk of being in high or moderate-risk group for illness. Other stressors like long-term illness and death of a loved one increased health risks significantly. Those who experienced severe stress were more likely to be in high-risk group; the probability increased with each additional stressor. Surprisingly genetic factors did not seem to influence how the body responded to stress. Therefore addressing and managing stress effectively can help maintain overall health and well-being.
In conclusion, chronic stress can have significant negative effects on people’s health. The study found that financial concerns are among the most harmful sources of stress due to their impact on overall quality of life. Addressing and managing stress is crucial for maintaining overall health and well-being.