One of the things you don’t really have control over is the inevitability of aging. As you age, your physical vulnerability grows. In this period of entering your golden years, you must make every effort to manage your health so that you can live longer and healthier.
But sometimes, different factors can prevent you from being able to manage your health the right way. One of such factors is stress. Stress can result in various health problems, including your dental health. So what does stress have to do with your oral health, anyway?
The answer is found in how stress affects the body and mind. Health experts recognize that stress can cause physiological changes in the body.
Read on to learn how relieving a little stress can improve your dental health and overall health as you get older.
What is Stress and What Causes Stress As You Age?
At some point in our lives, we have all had to deal with stress. Stress results from a person experiencing a sudden pressure to cope or adapt to changing circumstances. Stress is normal and sometimes even beneficial. It lets you know that you have taken on something bigger than you can handle, and it encourages you to find solutions to meet the challenge.
The term “stressors” or “stressor overload” is used when stress becomes too much and prevents an individual from adapting to life’s changes. This is a dangerous form of stress that can affect both your emotional health and physical health.
One of the main causes of stress is money pressures, which can be alleviated to some degree by working toward financial security, so long as a good work-life balance is maintained. Other causes of stress can include starting a new career, dealing with conflicts associated with family and friends, and even struggling to maintain your sanity in the face of work and life chaos.
Aging is also a significant stressor for many people because it can take a toll on their physical well-being. Inevitably estrogen’s effect on cognition will interact with cortisol. Cortisol is closely linked to stress. The hormone is quickly released by mental or emotional pressure. High levels of cortisol in an aging person are associated with higher stress. Some other causes of stress are the loss of a loved one and caring for an elderly parent.