NEW YORK, Oct 24 — How does stress affect your body?

Our bodies have a hard-wired stress response designed to give us the quick burst of heightened alertness and energy needed to perform our best.

However, being stressed out all the time, a condition known as chronic stress, isn’t good for us.

When we are challenged or overwhelmed, stress travels through our entire body, prompting a fight-or-flight response.

Find out what happens to your body when you feel stressed. More than just an emotional feeling, stress also takes a physical toll on your body. — Screenshot taken from the TED-Ed video
Find out what happens to your body when you feel stressed. More than just an emotional feeling, stress also takes a physical toll on your body. — Screenshot taken from the TED-Ed video

Our adrenal gland releases stress hormones cortisol and epinephrine, also known as adrenaline, and norepinephrine, which travels through our bloodstream.

This is an early step that triggers cholesterol and plaque buildup in our arteries, leading to increased chances of a heart attack and stroke.

What else happens to our bodies when we are stressed?

Sharon Horesh Bergquist gives us a look at what goes on inside our body when we are chronically stressed in this TED-Ed educational video.