08/04/2026
Introducing ‘Ask the Pharmacist’, where our Pharmacists are answering your questions 🫵🏻
To get us started, and to highlight Stress Awareness Month, Chris is answering “How does stress impact the body?”
When we’re stressed, the body releases hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. These are helpful in short bursts, but when stress is ongoing, it can start to affect different systems in the body and show up in ways people don’t always expect.
For some people, stress might show up as:
-headaches or muscle tension
- trouble sleeping or feeling tired all the time
- digestive issues like nausea, bloating or an unsettled stomach
- skin flare-ups such as acne, eczema or psoriasis
- feeling run down more often
- a racing heart, feeling shaky or more anxious than usual
- changes in appetite
- low mood, irritability or difficulty concentrating
The tricky part is that stress can look different for everyone. One person might get tension headaches, while someone else notices digestive upset, poor sleep, or their skin breaking out.
That’s because stress affects the body as a whole, not just one area.
While some stress is part of everyday life, it’s important to pay attention when it starts affecting how you feel day to day. Supporting your sleep, eating regularly, moving your body, and taking time to slow things down can all help.
And if symptoms are ongoing, severe, or starting to affect your quality of life, it’s always worth speaking to your pharmacist or GP.
Have a question for our Ask the Pharmacist series? Leave it below 👇
