Stress and Its Hidden Effects

When you feel stressed, your body releases hormones to help you respond. One of them is cortisol. Cortisol can signal your liver to release stored glucose into your blood.

Think of cortisol as an alarm that tells the liver to open its sugar store. That extra glucose can push your blood sugar higher. Adrenaline, another stress hormone, can do the same job.

Short-term stress comes and goes, like a tense phone call. Its changes are temporary. Your body usually settles back once it passes.

Long-term stress lasts for weeks or months. Cortisol may stay high. Over time, this may be linked to insulin resistance. That means your body needs more insulin for the same job.

If stress lasts for months, a counselor or your doctor can help.

Slow breathing is one habit that may help ease stress. It uses a steady count.

Breathe in for 4 counts. Hold for 7 counts. Then breathe out for 8 counts. Repeat the cycle four times.

Keep the counts gentle and comfortable. Nothing about it needs to feel forced.

Key takeaways

• Stress hormones such as cortisol can signal the liver to release glucose.
• Short-term stress is usually temporary, while long-term stress may keep cortisol high.
• Slow breathing may help ease stress, and a counselor or doctor can help when it lasts.

Try it

Today, when tension rises, try one slow breathing round. Breathe in for 4, hold for 7, and breathe out for 8, then notice how you feel.