Caring for an ailing loved one may be a noble thing to do. However, this should not mean that you should stop caring for yourself too. Otherwise, you will suffer from caregiver burnout.

Stress is prevalent among family caregivers. As such, Angels of Care LLC, a provider of non-medical home care in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, finds the need to bring awareness about what stress can do to the body and how to alleviate it.

• STRESS IN GENERAL.Stress is a normal part of life. It is your body’s way to respond to the changes in the environment. It allows you to be alert and be mentally and physically prepared to face possible danger.
• WHEN STRESS BECOMES NEGATIVE.There are actually two types of stress: eustress and distress. The first one refers to the normal stress we encounter, which we discussed in the preceding paragraph. The latter type, distress, is a negative form of stress. This happens when you experience continuous challenges without taking some breaks in between said challenges. As a consequence, your health is seriously affected.
• HOW STRESS AFFECTS THE BODY.Stress can affect your body in various ways. We elaborate them below:
  1. On the Respiratory System
     Stress can make you breathe harder and/or faster. This can be a problem if you have asthma or if you are suffering from a certain lung disease.
  2. On the Cardiovascular SystemThe cardiovascular system consists of the heart and the blood vessels. It is responsible for providing nutrients and oxygen to all parts of the body. Acute (or short-term) stress can increase the heart rate and can cause strong contractions around the heart muscles. On the other hand, chronic (or prolonged) stress can contribute to long-term problems to the cardiovascular system. It can lead to hypertension, heart attack, stroke, and even death.
  3. On the Endocrine SystemThe endocrine system is a collection of glands that produce different kinds of hormones. Stress triggers the release of stress hormones called cortisol and epinephrine. These stress hormones can prompt the liver to produce more blood sugar (glucose). The extra blood sugar can lead to diabetes.
  4. On the Gastrointestinal SystemChronic stress can develop to ulcer or severe stomach pain. It can also affect your digestion. It can cause either constipation or diarrhea.
  5. On the Musculoskeletal SystemProlonged stress can cause the muscles to tense up. Muscle tensions for a long period of time can lead to stress-related disorders, such as tension headache, migraines, and chronic pain in other areas of the body.
• WAYS YOU CAN ALLEVIATE STRESS.Although stress is a normal part of life, there are ways in which you can prevent it from worsening. We list down a few below:
  1. Take a rest. Do not force yourself to work, especially if you feel really tired.
  2. Treat yourself to a spa day or a massage.
  3. Get a professional to help you take care of your loved one. Many home health care providers in Pennsylvania offers superb respite care services.