The content of this essay should describe the physiological and psychological effects that consume the human body during stress. This essay will also review the evidence and discuss positive and negative coping mechanisms used in hopes of combatting stress. The conclusion will summarize effective coping strategies that are known to produce positive results. When stress is experienced over a period of time and has manifested itself as chronic stress; the physiological effects can be quite frightening, even catastrophic. The immune system has been shown to decline; this allows the body to become susceptible to colds, flu and viral infections. The heart is known to be affected by high blood pressure, arrhythmia, clotting and thickening of the arteries. It has also been suggested that there are strong links between chronic stress and coronary heart disease, heart attacks and even heart failure (Medicine Net, 2013). . Sufferers are known to have altered sleep patterns and even insomnia, making daily activities more difficult to perform. Muscles can be affected and constant tension can lead to neck, shoulder and lower back pain; Rheumatoid arthritis can get worse over time. Digestive and stomach problems such as reflux, ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome or ulcerative colitis are known to be made worse by stress. There is evidence that skin problems such as acne and existing skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis can become worse (Energetic Nutrition, 2013). Chronic stress can also have detrimental psychological effects that leave the person cognitively impaired and unable to function in daily tasks or handle situations appropriately. . Mood swings will see patients become more irritable, which can lead...... middle of document......ttp://www.energeticnutrition.com/articles/physiological-effects-of-stress .html[Accessed November 8, 2013].Medicine.Net, 2013. www.medicinenet.com. [Online]Available at: http://www.medicinenet.com/stress_and_heart_disease/article.htm[Accessed November 8, 2013].Mental.Health, 2103. www.mhww.org. [Online]Available at: http://mhww.org/strategies.html[Accessed November 9, 2013].Semel, 2013. www.semel.ucla.edu. [Online] Available at: http://www.semel.ucla.edu/dual-diagnosis-program/News_and_Resources/How_Do_You_Cope [Accessed November 9, 2013].Stress-relief, 2012. www.stress-relief-tools. com. [Online] Available at: http://www.stress-relief-tools.com/psychological-effects-of-stress.html [Accessed November 8, 2013]. Trauma, 2013. www.adsg.syix.com. [Online] Available at: http://adsg.syix.com/articles/stress/copingskills.htm[Accessed November 9 2013].