IMSS Yucatán warns: stress also makes the body sick

MÉRIDA.- Because stress can also generate physical complications in the body, better known as somatizations .

The Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS) in Yucatán offers some recommendations for controlling it and reiterates its call to seek specialist support.

The Psychiatry specialist at the Regional General Hospital (HGR) No. 1, Dr. Isaac Tomás Palacios , explained that stress can occur at any age , including children and even the elderly.

Therefore, it is important to monitor behaviors, reactions, and emotional disturbances so that you can seek support in a timely manner and prevent complications for your body and your quality of life.

“It is important to seek specialist care for stress when its effects begin to significantly interfere with quality of life, personal relationships, or job performance.

It should be noted that frequent mood swings, irritability, or an inability to enjoy activities that were previously pleasurable are also signs that emotional well-being is being compromised.”

Among the most common physical effects are muscle tension and pain , especially in areas such as the neck, shoulders, and back, due to the constant contraction that prolonged stress can cause.

It can also trigger frequent headaches , primarily tension headaches and migraines, which are linked to muscle tension and the release of hormones related to the stress response.

Similarly, some people experience persistent fatigue , even after resting, as the body exhausts itself trying to handle the emotional burden.

It should be noted that this condition also increases the likelihood of skin complications such as psoriasis, dermatitis, or hair loss.

The psychologist mentioned that some recommendations that can help control stress, but which do not replace specialized support, are:

• Avoid overexposure to negative news and focus mostly on the positive.
• ⁠Organize short breaks throughout the day.
• ⁠⁠Exercise and/or meditate.
• Create personal and work environments that are comfortable and enjoyable.
• Avoid consumption of tobacco, coffee, alcohol, etc.
• Do activities that you enjoy (painting, writing, listening to music).
• Have schedules to rest and get a restful sleep.
• Try to leave your cell phone and other electronic devices away as much as possible.
• Try to visualize mental images that take you to a calm and relaxing situation.

The specialist reiterated that, if there is any deterioration in either physical or mental health, one should go to the Family Medicine Unit for evaluation and follow-up care that will allow for a better quality of life.

At the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS) in Yucatán , staff are available at the PrevenIMSS Modules , as well as in the areas of Social Work, Psychology, Psychiatry, and multidisciplinary groups, for further guidance on how to improve mental health.

This depends on the requirements of each case.