Stress is, unfortunately, an inevitable reality in most people’s lives. When it becomes a chronic issue, a number of serious implications can result, including an increased risk of injury. Whether the stress is induced by work pressures, personal issues, or financial strain, high-stress levels can significantly impair both our physical and mental functions and capacity, making us more prone to injuries and accidents.
Understanding how stress can contribute to the risk of injury is essential in developing effective strategies to mitigate the impact it has on our daily lives.
Preoccupation and Distraction
One of the most notable ways in which stress can increase the risk of injury is through preoccupation and distraction. When we are stressed, our minds often become engulfed with looming worries and anxieties. As a result, it can be very difficult for stressed-out individuals to focus on the task at hand, opening the door for accidents and mistakes to occur.
For example, if your stressful thoughts are preoccupying your mind while driving, you might end up mindlessly running a red light and hitting a pedestrian. When these thoughts and emotions start to consume your whole being, you are putting yourself and those around you at risk, and medical and professional intervention may be advised.
Narrowing of Peripheral Vision
Not only can stress take over our thoughts and minds, but it can also affect our sensory perception. When individuals are under an immense amount of stress, it can cause them to ignore or miss objects or movements that are on the periphery of their awareness. This phenomenon is often referred to as “tunnel vision,” and it can be incredibly dangerous in circumstances where situational awareness is crucial.
For example, if you are driving a car and you have a narrowed peripheral vision of what is going on the road around you, this can greatly increase the likelihood that you may end up in an accident.
Fatigue
Fatigue is another common issue experienced by individuals who are stressed out. Stress oftentimes leads to poor sleep quality and insomnia, resulting in physical and mental exhaustion. As a result, our cognitive functions are compromised, our reaction times are slowed, and our coordination is awry. In sports, for example, an athlete who is not consistently getting a good night’s sleep is much more likely to make mistakes and increase their chance of injury.
Muscle Tension
When individuals are under stress, their bodies go into a constant fight-or-flight mode in which muscles are tense. Over time, this constant muscle tension can cause an immense amount of unnecessary strain and fatigue on our musculoskeletal system, therefore making our bodies more vulnerable and susceptible to sprains, strains, and brakes.
How to Reduce Stress Levels
Given the profound impact stress can have on our bodies and how significantly it increases our risk of injury, it is important to adopt some strategies in order to manage and reduce stress. Here are some suggested methods:
- Get regular exercise
- Practice mindfulness
- Meditation and journaling
- Get professional help from a therapist, psychiatrist, or support group
- Nourish your body with healthy foods and hydrate
- Surround yourself with a supportive group of individuals
Implementing these aforementioned stress management techniques into your daily life is extremely important in helping you deal with stress and reduce the chance of injury. In the event that you are injured in an accident in which stress was a contributing factor, it is important that you contact a Tacoma personal injury attorney to learn about the steps in the legal process and what damages you may be entitled to.
Beth is Cloudmineinc’s senior health editor and a certified personal trainer. She has over 10 years experience as a science journalist and is the author of two books. She deadlifts over 315 lbs.