Some stress is necessary for life, chronic stress is debilitating to life. Stress increases internal inflammation via IL-6 which leads to increased risk for cardiovascular disease, anxiety, depression, cancer, suppressed immune system (chronic infections), and autoimmune disease. High chronic stress leads to elevated cortisol which can lead to decreased thyroid function, accumulation of abdominal fat, prolonged healing time, reduced ability to respond to an infection, impaired cognition, and other symptoms.
Sleep has been a far too overlooked health attribute in our society. Sleep deprivation is a common cause of depression and anxiety, increased pain, decreased ability to perform daily duties, decreased work productivity, and reduced quality of life in general. Sleep must become adequate and quality for the body to have time to heal and clean up cellular debris. Apnea should be ruled out and many sleep stealing habits should be assessed to assure that you are utilizing this valuable time to heal your body.