The degree to which stress shortens your life depends on a variety of factors, such as your lifestyle, genetics, and the way your body handles stress. Short-term stress can lengthen life by fortifying biological reactions to stress. Molecular chaperones and other defensive mechanisms might be activated. Long-term stress, however, can override compensatory reactions, potentially reducing longevity. Additionally, it raises insulin, oxidative stress, inflammation, and stress hormones. Anxiety, sadness, digestive issues, and Alzheimer’s disease can all result from excessive stress.
