Chronic stress keeps the muscles from being able to relax, which can lead to headaches, body aches, and back or shoulder pain. Over time, these aches and pains can cause us to shy away from regular exercise - which is actually a great stress reliever and essential to maintaining good health.
Substance Abuse
Stress has been shown to lead to poor decision-making and an increase in risky behaviors. Look no further than the last traffic jam you sat through to observe the effects that stress can have on the decision-making abilities of certain drivers, for example.
The inability to cope with stress can also cause us to turn to substances, which ranges from stimulants, like cigarettes, to depressants like alcohol and drugs. These stimulants cause the body to release feel-good hormones that may seem to compensate for the stress hormones, but which lead to immediate health threats, like drinking and driving, as well as long-term health problems, including lung cancer and cirrhosis of the liver.
While stress may seem minor, it can have some major implications on the entire body. That's why it's important to get a handle on stress before it gets a handle on you.