Chronic stress facts for kids
Chronic stress is a type of stress that lasts for a very long time. It's different from "acute stress," which is a quick burst of stress that goes away fast. Think of acute stress like feeling nervous before a test, but chronic stress is like feeling worried about school for many weeks or months.
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How Stress Affects Your Body and Mind
Stress is a normal part of life for everyone, even animals! But when stress sticks around for too long, it can start to harm your body and your brain.
When you feel stressed, your body reacts in special ways. It releases chemicals, like ones called corticosteroids. These chemicals help your body get ready to deal with the stress.
What Happens When Stress Lasts Too Long?
If your body keeps releasing these stress chemicals again and again, over a long time, it can actually change how your brain works. These changes can make it harder for you to:
- Remember things (like what you learned in class).
- Figure out directions or where things are (spatial memory).
- Make good decisions.
Long-term stress can also make people feel more easily annoyed or even angry.
How Chronic Stress Affects Your Health
Chronic stress can cause or make many health problems worse. For example, people who have had chronic stress for a long time are more likely to get:
- Hypertension (this is when your blood pressure is too high).
- Heart disease (problems with your heart).
It's important to find ways to manage stress so it doesn't become chronic and affect your health.
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