3 weeks Ago By Lynn Kernan
STRESS affects us all in different ways - and the experts say a big factor in how it impacts people is their age. As we go through life, new stages bring fresh challenges, whether it’s exams in our teens or buying a first home as you get into adulthood. 3 Stress hormones hit us at different times of our lives To mark National Stress Awareness Month, hormonal health expert Mike Kocsis, from Balance My Hormones, has teamed up with sleep guru Martin Seeley, at MattressNextDay, to explain how the stress hormone cortisol impacts us as we age.
And they give their tips for how to lessen the impact of stress throughout your life. ADOLESCENTS - 12-16 THIS age bracket is famous for hormonal disruption, as the body navigates puberty. SKIN Hormonal fluctuations are in full swing during puberty, causing acne and inflammation and adding stress into the mix is a recipe for disaster .
Cortisol can make breakouts more severe - and frequent - by stimulating sebaceous glands and boosting oil production which clogs pores. SLEEP Good sleep is vital for brain development and emotional regulation at this age, with teens needing eight to 10 hours a night. Sleep experts say stress supresses melatonin, the sleep hormone, which delays the onset of sleep.
Teens can experience restless nights and trouble waking up. DIGESTION Cortisol alters the gut microbiome which can affect mood ans the absorption of nutrients, leading to nausea, bloating and cramps before stressful events . Loss of appetite or emotional eating can become common in times of stress - this can disrupt hunger hormones too, which can contribute to unhealthy eating patterns.
BODILY DEVELOPMENT The stress hormone can affect nutritional balance as well as physical development as it directly inhibits the growth hormone which is vital for muscle development, bone growth and tissue repair. Chronic stress can also affect important prefrontal cortex development, which can potentially impact decision-making skills and emotional regulation. How stressed is your child? LATE TEENS TO EARLY ADULTS - 17-20 THIS age brings many significant life changes, from higher education and career decisions to increased independence.
That means it can also bring many new stresses that haven’t been experienced before. SKIN Stress can prolong the acne that started in adolescence and cortisol can continue to impact skin barrier function, which leads to increased loss of water , dehydration and dullness. Elevated cortisol levels can break down elastic and collagen - proteins that are essential for youthful and firm skins - which can even lead to early signs of aging.
SLEEP Studying, a social life and first jobs can all see sleep patterns become more irregular which can reduce emotional resilience and is associated with mood disorders, which are common in this age bracket. Natural rythyms are already in flux during this age range wth a shift towards later sleep times but chronic stress can lead to elevated evening cortisol when it should be low, impacting sleep. DIGESTION Inflammatory responses activated by stress can cause stomach discomfort, appetite changes and digestive issues.
Functional digestive disorders and conditions, like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), often emerge during this age range, exacerbated by stress. BODILY DEVELOPMENT Stress and high cortisol can reduce cognitive flexibility when switching between tasks and impair memory formation which can severely impact learning during this important educational period. Chronic stress at this age can alter reproductive hormone balance too.
It can cause irregular and missed periods in women and supress the production of testosterone, affecting energy levels, mood and libido. 3 Stress can hit as tens study or start their first jobs YOUNG ADULTS - 21-30 New sources of stress can rise at this stage of life, from career establishment to increased responsibilities, as well as development of relationships . SKIN Fine lines can begin to appear, especially around the eyes, accelerated by the collagen-depleting effects of high cortisol levels - and slow skin cell renewal leads to less resilient skin and a duller complexion.
Stress can also manifest as redness, uneven skin tone and trigger adult acne, which often appears on the chin and around the jawline. SLEEP Career demands can disrupt natural sleep-wake cycles leading to daytime fatigue, which is often countered with caffeine consumption - and this creates another cycle that elevates cortisol levels further. Stress reduces the time spent in REM sleep, which then affects cognitive function and emotion processing.
DIGESTION Acid reflux, IBS and other digestive disorders commonly emerge during this age range, exacerbated by stress and high cortisol levels. High stress alters the signals sent between your brain and your gut, which can disrupt the movement of food through the digestive tract causing diarrhoea or constipation. BODILY DEVELOPMENT At this age, chronic cortisol elevation can start to cause cardiovascular changes like blood pressure elevations, as well as insulin sensitivity which can impact metabolism and energy levels.
It can continue to impact reproductive function with stress and high cortisol interfering with ovulation and affecting sperm count and mobility. SEVEN STEPS TO DESTRESS HOW to reduce the impact of stress at all ages: Keep your sleep routine consistent, with the same sleep and wake times daily Limit screen use and bright light exposure before bed Practice stress reducing techniques like breathwork, mindfulness and meditation Nutrition and a healthy, balanced diet that supports your hormones Move your body but don’t burn it out - exercise lowers cortisol, but too much can raise it Support your skin barrier from the inside, like staying hydrated and keeping vitamin C levels high Build stress literacy to children and teens - teach them how to recognise stress and balance their emotions ADULTS - 30-40+ Financial pressures, career worries and family responsibilities during this age range bring complex stressors. SKIN Cortisol continues to break down elastin and collagen, causing loss of elasticity, sagging and more pronounced wrinkles.
The stress hormone can also accelerate the natural thinning of skin that starts at this age, making it more susceptible to damage. SLEEP Disorders, such as sleep apnoea, become more common at this age, which can be exacerbated by stress-related weight changes. When untreated, sleep apnoea causes fragmented sleep and micro-awakenings, which activates the body’s stress responses, and further spikes cortisol and adrenaline.
DIGESTION Stress reduces the production of digestive enzymes and diverts energy away from digestive processes, which can lead to nutritional deficiencies, even with a healthy diet . This can lead to incomplete digestion of food, causing symptoms like gas , bloating, and even mood disruption. BODILY DEVELOPMENT Long-term stress can contribute to chronic diseases, like type 2 diabetes , hypertension and autoimmune disorders.
Chronic stress and elevated cortisol levels can affect the musculoskeletal system TOO - from accelerated, age-related muscle loss, to reduced calcium absorption, which can impair bone health. 3 Sleep can be badly affected by stress.
