How Stress Management Can Enhance Longevity

Joyn Health

by Joyn Health

5 min read.

Feeling stressed? Most of us are these days. But over time, chronic stress accelerates the aging process and impacts your mental and physical well-being – making stress management a vital component of living a longer, healthier life.

Joyn Health takes the critical connection between stress management and longevity very seriously, empowering patients to reduce their stress and take control of their personal health. Let’s take a closer look at the physiological effects of stress on your body, along with stress management techniques that can enhance your longevity and overall well-being.

Stress is a fact of life

If you’re stressed, you’re not alone. A 2022 American Psychological Association survey found that 76% of respondents reported experiencing at least one symptom of stress over the past month.

During times of stress, your body releases cortisol, adrenaline, and other stress-related chemicals, creating symptoms like anxiety, depression, digestive issues, weight gain, headaches, sleep problems, memory and concentration issues, and more.

Physical ramifications of chronic stress

Beyond these symptoms, chronic stress can have lasting effects that harm your physical health over time.

Cellular aging

At Joyn, we strive to improve both your longevity (number of years lived) and your healthspan (number of years spent in good health). Studies confirm that chronic stress can cause inflammation and damage DNA in your cells, which accelerates the aging process.

Your chronological age is the number of years you have been alive, but your biological age reflects how old your body behaves and feels. A study published in Cell Metabolism found that biological age increases rapidly in response to many forms of stress. But there is a silver lining – you can reverse this aging with the right stress management techniques.

Immune function

Your immune system is your body’s first line of defense. This complex network of organs, cells, and proteins is designed to protect you from viruses, bacteria, and other invaders.

Chronic stress decreases your body’s lymphocytes, the white blood cells that help fight off infections, putting you at greater risk for colds and other viruses. High levels of stress also lead to higher levels of inflammation, leaving you with an overworked immune system that can’t properly protect you. Numerous diseases of the immune system have strong ties to stress, including arthritis, lupus, and fibromyalgia.

Heart health

Chronic stress can also have a negative impact on your heart health. After more than a century, heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States and across the globe.

Studies show that high cortisol levels from long-term stress can increase blood pressure, cause an irregular heart rate, reduce blood flow to your heart, and more. Stress can also promote the build-up of plaque in your arteries and elevate cholesterol levels, particularly LDL (“bad”) cholesterol.

The bottom line

Any of the above conditions can significantly reduce your longevity and healthspan. Working with your Joyn physician, it’s time to prioritize your mental and physical health by adopting habits that help manage stress.

Stress management techniques that support a longer, healthier life

Follow these practical tips to integrate stress-reducing habits into your daily life:

Nutrition

Stress can deplete your body of vital nutrients. A balanced diet of fruits, vegetables, lean protein, and healthy fats helps your body repair damaged cells and provides the energy needed to cope with stress. Eating regularly also helps keep your blood glucose stable, which is important for brain function.

Personalized nutrition plans are one of the many exclusive services included with your Joyn membership – ask your physician to learn more.

Sleep

Sleep is a necessary function that allows your brain to recharge and your body to rest. However, stress often makes it difficult to fall and stay asleep, creating a vicious cycle of increased stress and poor sleep quality. 
Most adults need 7-9 hours of sleep per night to function at full potential. Commit to following a healthy sleep routine, even on weekends. Be sure to turn off all electronic devices at least one hour before bedtime, and practice relaxation techniques like meditation or deep breathing to prepare your body for a good night’s sleep.

Social connections

Having a support system and people you can confide in is essential to reducing stress levels. Positive social contact with others releases endorphins and other mood-boosting chemicals in your body, which can make you happier and healthier.

Connecting with close friends and family is often a powerful antidote to stress. Finding other people who share your interests is another excellent way to gain social connections. Even casual interactions with acquaintances can benefit your mental well-being. So, make the effort to engage with others – and ask them for help if you need it.

Professional support

There are many types of professionals who can assist you with stress management, including therapists, counselors, psychologists, and psychiatrists. Joyn members get priority access to our network of top-tier specialists and mental health professionals.

Enhance your longevity, starting now

Proper stress management is only one facet of the whole-person care provided by Joyn Health, where unmatched hospitality and a deep connection with your physician offer an extraordinary care experience.

Learn more about Joyn membership and start improving your longevity and healthspan today.