DUBAI: In recent weeks, many people across the Gulf have been navigating a sense of uncertainty as events continue to unfold in the region. Even while daily routines continue, the emotional weight of what is happening around us can quietly build in the background.
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Many people assume that if they are eating well, exercising regularly and maintaining healthy habits, their physical health should remain stable. Yet one important factor is often overlooked in this equation — stress, particularly the kind that accumulates gradually and silently over time.
During uncertain times, the body enters into fight-or-flight mode. We think we are coping, but actually we have this underlying sense of anxiety, which shows physically and mentally. You could be eating perfectly well, but your sugar levels could be rising because of stress, along with your cortisol levels.
Stress is not only a psychological experience, it is also a biological one. When the body perceives a threat, it releases hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline. In the short term, this response is protective and helps the body react quickly to challenges. However, when these hormones remain elevated longer than intended, it increases blood sugar and blood pressure levels.
