Is Stress Behind Your Ongoing Health Issues?
We all experience stress. It’s part of life.
A bit of pressure here and there is manageable, but when that stress becomes ongoing, or a sudden event pushes you over the edge, your body starts to struggle.
Over time, chronic stress wears you down :
- your resilience dips
- your immune system weakens
- your digestion suffers
- and your energy levels suffer.
Cortisol, your primary stress hormone, plays a big role here
In short bursts, cortisol helps you stay alert and deal with immediate challenges. But when it stays elevated for too long, it can start to suppress immune function, disturb your digestion, affect sleep, and leave you feeling completely worn out.
In fact, some of the most common health conditions I see in clinic have stress, and elevated cortisol, at their core.
I know this firsthand. Back in 2014, I had my first ever bout of shingles. It was debilitating and very painful. But it also opened my eyes to just how much stress I’d been under and how deeply it had started to affect my health.
It’s important to treat the immediate symptoms of illness. But if we don’t also address the driver behind the illness, recovery can be slow, incomplete, or temporary.
Here are four common conditions where stress—and cortisol—can be a hidden trigger:
1. Viral Infections that Won’t Go Away
Catching a cold or flu occasionally is normal, especially in winter. But if you’re constantly fighting viruses—or they turn bacterial—it could be a sign your immune system is run down. Ongoing stress dampens the response of T-helper cells, making it harder for your body to fight infections and bounce back.
2. Shingles
The varicella-zoster virus (same as chickenpox) lives dormant in your nerve cells after infection. Years later, stress can trigger it to reactivate—causing shingles. It’s much more common over 50, but chronic stress can bring it on earlier. Think of it like the cold sore virus (herpes simplex), which also flares up when your defences are low.
3. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
IBS symptoms like bloating, pain, diarrhoea or constipation are often linked to stress. Why? Because your nervous system is divided into two parts: “fight or flight” and “rest and digest.” Under chronic stress, the digestive system is dialled down. Over time, this can lead to sluggish digestion, gut irritation, and all the symptoms that come with it.
4. Debilitating Fatigue
If you’ve been “pushing through” stress for too long, fatigue often shows up as your body’s way of saying “enough.” High cortisol eventually gives way to adrenal exhaustion—where your system simply can’t keep up with demand. You feel flat, unmotivated, and physically depleted. (I’ve written more on that in The Fatigue Solution—read it here).
Don’t Wait Until Your Body Forces You to Stop
Chronic stress = chronic dysfunction.
But, there are simple, effective ways to begin reversing the impact.
Bite-Sized Actions to Start Today:
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Listen to your body – don’t soldier on. If you’re sick or run down, give yourself permission to rest.
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Eat whole foods – what you eat really matters. Food is fuel, medicine, and information for your cells.
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Practice relaxation – deep breathing, mindfulness, massage, warm baths… whatever helps you to relax and recharge.
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Use herbal medicine – herbs can support your adrenals, nervous system, immunity, and digestion beautifully.
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Boost your nutrients – stress depletes your reserves. Sometimes targeted supplements are needed.
Treat stress like any other health condition – something worth your attention and care.
Need support? I can help you reset and rebuild resilience:
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Book a one-on-one consultation (in-clinic or by Zoom) to dig into what’s really driving your symptoms – click here
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Eating the right foods can reduce stress on the body. Learn about the right foods to eat – click here
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Not sure what you need? Let’s chat in a FREE 20-minute connection call – click here
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With your health in mind,
Catherine x
