Although symptoms of chronic stress are often ignored as existing in the mind, the pain is real, says Kate Harkness, professor of psychology and psychiatry at Queen University in Ontario. When the body doesn’t feel safe – whether it’s the physical threat of a stroke or the psychological fear of losing a job or getting sick – the brain sends a signal to the adrenals to pump out stress hormones. Although people often underestimate the impact of the mind on the body, an increasing number of studies show that high levels of stress over a long period of time can radically change physical function and affect virtually all systems in the body. Research has focused on chronic stress in heart disease, muscle tension, gastrointestinal problems, and even the physical contraction of the hippocampus, the area of the brain associated with memory and learning. When it comes to chronic stress, a visit to the doctor in case of abdominal pain, headaches or rash can treat these physical symptoms. Data from the non-profit FAIR Health database of health and consumer spending information shows that the percentage of medical complaints related to stress or aggravated conditions, such as multiple sclerosis or tibia, has increased. At the height of the pandemic, Americans suffer from insomnia, headaches, indigestion and other symptoms of chronic stress. However, many medical experts say it is too early to measure the physical symptoms associated with this, as they often occur months after the onset of stress. Throughout the pandemic, people who never had coronavirus reported various seemingly unrelated symptoms: intolerable headaches, hair loss, weeks of indigestion, sudden outbreaks of herpes zoster and outbreaks of autoimmune diseases. Stress causes physical changes in the body, which can affect virtually all organ systems. But in chronic stress, such as a pandemic, the body pumps out stress hormones until it gets tired. Perhaps the strongest indicator comes from doctors who report an increase in the number of patients with physical symptoms for which they can’t find the cause. Whether it’s a formal lesson or an informal pastime, training promotes the plasticity of the brain, the ability to change and adapt to experience, which can protect against depression and other mental illness. “Because stress changes the brain, it means that positive things can also change the brain. But it’s important to recognize them earlier, especially when it comes to the brain,” says Barbara Sahakyan, professor of clinical neuropsychology at the University of Cambridge. Stress also causes dentists to point to a rapid increase in the number of patients suffering from tooth grinding, fractures and temporomandibular joint diseases.