The content of this essay will describe the physiological and psychological effects that wear out the human body during stress. This essay will also consider the evidence and discuss positive and negative coping mechanisms used in hopes of combating stress. The conclusion summarizes effective coping strategies known to have positive outcomes. When stress is experienced over a period of time and manifests as chronic stress; the physiological effects can be quite scary and even catastrophic. It has been shown that the immune system is reduced; this allows the body to become susceptible to colds, flu, and viral infections. The heart is known to be affected by hypertension, arrhythmia, coagulation and thickening of the arteries; It has also been suggested that there are strong links between chronic stress and coronary heart disease, heart attacks and even heart failure (Medicine Net, 2013). Sufferers have been known to experience altered sleep patterns or even insomnia, making daily tasks more difficult to perform. Muscles can be affected and constant tension can lead to pain in the neck, shoulders and lower back; rheumatoid arthritis can worsen over time. Digestive and stomach problems such as reflux, ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome or ulcerative colitis are known to be aggravated by stress. Skin problems such as acne and existing skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis have been shown to flare up (Energetic Nutrition, 2013). Chronic stress can also have harmful psychological effects that leave the sufferer with cognitive problems and unable to carry out daily activities or handle situations appropriately. . Mood swings will see sufferers become more irritable, which can lead to...... middle of paper ......ttp://www.energeticnutrition.com/articles/physiological-effects-of- stress.html[Accessed 8 November 2013].Medicine.Net, 2013. www.medicinenet.com. [Online]Available at: http://www.medicinenet.com/stress_and_heart_disease/article.htm[Accessed 8 November 2013].Mental.Health, 2103. www.mhww.org. [Online]Available at: http://mhww.org/strategies.html[Accessed 9 November 2013].Semel, 2013. www.semel.ucla.edu. [Online] Available at: http://www.semel.ucla.edu/dual-diagnosis-program/News_and_Resources/How_Do_You_Cope[Accessed 9 November 2013].Stress-relief, 2012. www.stress-relief-tools. com. [Online]Available at: http://www.stress-relief-tools.com/psychological-effects-of-stress.html[Accessed 8 November 2013].Trauma, 2013. www.adsg.syix.com. [Online] Available at: http://adsg.syix.com/articles/stress/copingskills.htm[Accessed November 9 2013].