What Is Allostatic Load?

Allostatic load refers to the cumulative toll that chronic stress takes on your body and health. learn more about what causes allostatic load and the impact it has.

January 17, 2025 · 11 min · 2329 words · Dr. Brenda Goodman DDS

Table of Contents

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is Allostatic Load?How Allostatic Load WorksSignsTypesImpactCoping

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

What Is Allostatic Load?

How Allostatic Load Works

Signs

Types

Impact

Coping

Close

Allostatic loadrefers to the cumulative effects thatchronic stresshas on mental and physical health. More simply, it refers to the ‘wear and tear’ on the body that life events and environmental stressors create. When events occur that exceed an individual’s capacity to cope, allostatic overload may occur.

When faced with stress, the body responds in a variety of ways to cope with the threat. Allostasis refers to how the body’s physiological systems change in order to meet the demands of the environment. This ability to adapt is essential for survival.

While these processes serve an important role in helping us respond when we need to respond, they also come with a cost—the allostatic load. Researchers have described allostatic load as “the long-term result of failed adaptation orallostasis, resulting in pathology and chronic illness.”

RecapAllostatic load refers to the damage that stress can do to the body over time. While the physical reactions that stress creates play a role in protecting the bodyin the short term, they exert a serious and lasting toll over the long term. This can contribute to an increased vulnerability to disease.

Recap

Allostatic load refers to the damage that stress can do to the body over time. While the physical reactions that stress creates play a role in protecting the bodyin the short term, they exert a serious and lasting toll over the long term. This can contribute to an increased vulnerability to disease.

However, constant exposure to these hormones has damaging effects on the body. This damage can contribute to the onset of illness and accelerate disease progression.

Stress hormones, includingcortisoland catecholamines, are essential for adaptation to manage acute challenges. At the same time, however, they also play a part in creating physiological changes that ultimately contribute to various physical effects, including negative effects on metabolic, immune, and cardiovascular processes. This can lead to increased blood sugar, inflammation, blood pressure, and other problems that pose health risks.

Signs of Allostatic Load

McEwen notes that stress is subjective, but that many of the things that create stress and have adverse health effects are simply aspects of daily life. Nevertheless, these daily hassles create stress that has cumulative and lasting consequences.

Signs of allostatic load are divided into 10 markers, which include primary mediators and secondary outcomes.

Primary mediators include:

Secondary outcomes include:

According to researchers, these indicators “serve distinct functional purposes in the calculation of allostatic load as a measurement for the burden of stress on the body.”

Types of Allostatic Load

McEwen suggests that there are a few different types of allostatic load, including:

Several factors are associated with higher allostatic load, including psychosocial factors such as risky health-related behaviors and socioeconomic status. Damaging health behaviors can also increase allostatic load. Such behaviors include lack of exercise, alcohol consumption,poor sleep, smoking, and diet.

Genetics also plays a role since some people tend to have a higher reactivity to stress, which means that environmental stressors may be more likely to contribute to increased allostatic load than they would in people with lower stress reactivity.

Impact of Allostatic Load

Allostatic load can have an impact on the course of health conditions.

Increased allostatic load accounts for health disparities in minoritized communities as well.

Tips for Managing Allostatic Load

Several factors can improve your ability to manage stress, which may help reduce allostatic load. And as always, consider seeking professional mental health services if you are feeling particularly burdened or overwhelmed.

Change How You Interpret Situations

Engage in Regular Physical Activity

Exercisehas a wide range of health benefits, including boosting your ability to cope with stress. While exercising regularly won’t eliminate stress, it may make it easier for you to manage stress.

Utilize Effective Relaxation Techniques

Allostatic load is greater when the body does not adequately recover after a stressful event.Incorporatingrelaxation strategiessuch as deep breathing,yoga,meditation, andprogressive muscle relaxationcan help you manage stress as it is happening. It can also help you induce a relaxation response once the immediate threat has passed.

Build Supportive, Healthy Relationships

Social supportcan act as a buffer against some of the negative effects of stress.One study found that higher levels of spousal support were connected to lower allostatic load.

A Word From Verywell

Ultimately, the way the body works to defend itself leads to both protection and damage. The events that you face each day create challenges. While you might not necessarily perceive these events as stressful, they still create stress on the mind and body that can affect your health and well-being. Taking steps to protect yourself from stress and improve your ability to manage stressful events may keep allostatic load in check.

18 Effective Stress Relief Strategies

14 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Logan JG, Barksdale DJ.Allostasis and allostatic load: expanding the discourse on stress and cardiovascular disease.J Clin Nurs. 2008;17(7B):201-8. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2702.2008.02347.xParker HW, Abreu AM, Sullivan MC, Vadiveloo MK.Allostatic load and mortality: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Am J Prev Med. 2022;63(1):131-140. doi:10.1016/j.amepre.2022.02.003McEwen BS.Stress, adaptation, and disease: allostasis and allostatic load.Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences. 1998;840(1):33-44. doi:10.1111/j.1749-6632.1998.tb09546.xRodriquez EJ, Kim EN, Sumner AE, Nápoles AM, Pérez-Stable EJ.Allostatic load: Importance, markers, and score determination in minority and disparity populations.J Urban Health. 2019;96(Suppl 1):3-11. doi:10.1007/s11524-019-00345-5D’Alessio L, Korman GP, Sarudiansky M, et al.Reducing allostatic load in depression and anxiety disorders: physical activity and yoga practice as add-on therapies.Front Psychiatry. 2020;11:501. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00501Petrovic D, Pivin E, Ponte B, Dhayat N, Pruijm M, Ehret G, Ackermann D, Guessous I, Younes SE, Pechère-Bertschi A, Vogt B, Mohaupt M, Martin PY, Paccaud F, Burnier M, Bochud M, Stringhini S.Sociodemographic, behavioral and genetic determinants of allostatic load in a Swiss population-based study.Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2016;67:76-85. doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2016.02.003Steptoe A, Hackett RA, Lazzarino AI, Bostock S, La Marca R, Carvalho LA, Hamer M.Disruption of multisystem responses to stress in type 2 diabetes: investigating the dynamics of allostatic load.Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2014;111(44):15693-8. doi:10.1073/pnas.1410401111Abercrombie HC, Giese-Davis J, Sephton S, Epel ES, Turner-Cobb JM, Spiegel D.Flattened cortisol rhythms in metastatic breast cancer patients.Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2004;29(8):1082-92. doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2003.11Bey GS, Waring ME, Jesdale BM, Person SD.Gendered race modification of the association between chronic stress and depression among Black and White U.S. adults.Am J Orthopsychiatry.2018;88(2):151-160. doi:10.1037/ort0000301Thayer Z, Barbosa-Leiker C, McDonell M, Nelson L, Buchwald D, Manson S.Early life trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder, and allostatic load in a sample of American Indian adults.Am J Hum Biol. 2017;29(3):10.1002/ajhb.22943. doi:10.1002/ajhb.22943Rodriquez EJ, Kim EN, Sumner AE, Nápoles AM, Pérez-Stable EJ.Allostatic Load: Importance, Markers, and Score Determination in Minority and Disparity Populations. J Urban Health. 2019 Mar;96(Suppl 1):3-11. doi: 10.1007/s11524-019-00345-5.American Psychological Association.Healthy ways to handle life’s stressors.Wang X, Cai L, Qian J, Peng J.Social support moderates stress effects on depression.Int J Ment Health Syst. 2014;8(1):41. doi:10.1186/1752-4458-8-41Brooks KP, Gruenewald T, Karlamangla A, Hu P, Koretz B, Seeman TE.Social relationships and allostatic load in the MIDUS study.Health Psychol. 2014;33(11):1373-81. doi:10.1037/a0034528

14 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Logan JG, Barksdale DJ.Allostasis and allostatic load: expanding the discourse on stress and cardiovascular disease.J Clin Nurs. 2008;17(7B):201-8. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2702.2008.02347.xParker HW, Abreu AM, Sullivan MC, Vadiveloo MK.Allostatic load and mortality: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Am J Prev Med. 2022;63(1):131-140. doi:10.1016/j.amepre.2022.02.003McEwen BS.Stress, adaptation, and disease: allostasis and allostatic load.Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences. 1998;840(1):33-44. doi:10.1111/j.1749-6632.1998.tb09546.xRodriquez EJ, Kim EN, Sumner AE, Nápoles AM, Pérez-Stable EJ.Allostatic load: Importance, markers, and score determination in minority and disparity populations.J Urban Health. 2019;96(Suppl 1):3-11. doi:10.1007/s11524-019-00345-5D’Alessio L, Korman GP, Sarudiansky M, et al.Reducing allostatic load in depression and anxiety disorders: physical activity and yoga practice as add-on therapies.Front Psychiatry. 2020;11:501. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00501Petrovic D, Pivin E, Ponte B, Dhayat N, Pruijm M, Ehret G, Ackermann D, Guessous I, Younes SE, Pechère-Bertschi A, Vogt B, Mohaupt M, Martin PY, Paccaud F, Burnier M, Bochud M, Stringhini S.Sociodemographic, behavioral and genetic determinants of allostatic load in a Swiss population-based study.Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2016;67:76-85. doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2016.02.003Steptoe A, Hackett RA, Lazzarino AI, Bostock S, La Marca R, Carvalho LA, Hamer M.Disruption of multisystem responses to stress in type 2 diabetes: investigating the dynamics of allostatic load.Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2014;111(44):15693-8. doi:10.1073/pnas.1410401111Abercrombie HC, Giese-Davis J, Sephton S, Epel ES, Turner-Cobb JM, Spiegel D.Flattened cortisol rhythms in metastatic breast cancer patients.Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2004;29(8):1082-92. doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2003.11Bey GS, Waring ME, Jesdale BM, Person SD.Gendered race modification of the association between chronic stress and depression among Black and White U.S. adults.Am J Orthopsychiatry.2018;88(2):151-160. doi:10.1037/ort0000301Thayer Z, Barbosa-Leiker C, McDonell M, Nelson L, Buchwald D, Manson S.Early life trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder, and allostatic load in a sample of American Indian adults.Am J Hum Biol. 2017;29(3):10.1002/ajhb.22943. doi:10.1002/ajhb.22943Rodriquez EJ, Kim EN, Sumner AE, Nápoles AM, Pérez-Stable EJ.Allostatic Load: Importance, Markers, and Score Determination in Minority and Disparity Populations. J Urban Health. 2019 Mar;96(Suppl 1):3-11. doi: 10.1007/s11524-019-00345-5.American Psychological Association.Healthy ways to handle life’s stressors.Wang X, Cai L, Qian J, Peng J.Social support moderates stress effects on depression.Int J Ment Health Syst. 2014;8(1):41. doi:10.1186/1752-4458-8-41Brooks KP, Gruenewald T, Karlamangla A, Hu P, Koretz B, Seeman TE.Social relationships and allostatic load in the MIDUS study.Health Psychol. 2014;33(11):1373-81. doi:10.1037/a0034528

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Logan JG, Barksdale DJ.Allostasis and allostatic load: expanding the discourse on stress and cardiovascular disease.J Clin Nurs. 2008;17(7B):201-8. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2702.2008.02347.xParker HW, Abreu AM, Sullivan MC, Vadiveloo MK.Allostatic load and mortality: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Am J Prev Med. 2022;63(1):131-140. doi:10.1016/j.amepre.2022.02.003McEwen BS.Stress, adaptation, and disease: allostasis and allostatic load.Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences. 1998;840(1):33-44. doi:10.1111/j.1749-6632.1998.tb09546.xRodriquez EJ, Kim EN, Sumner AE, Nápoles AM, Pérez-Stable EJ.Allostatic load: Importance, markers, and score determination in minority and disparity populations.J Urban Health. 2019;96(Suppl 1):3-11. doi:10.1007/s11524-019-00345-5D’Alessio L, Korman GP, Sarudiansky M, et al.Reducing allostatic load in depression and anxiety disorders: physical activity and yoga practice as add-on therapies.Front Psychiatry. 2020;11:501. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00501Petrovic D, Pivin E, Ponte B, Dhayat N, Pruijm M, Ehret G, Ackermann D, Guessous I, Younes SE, Pechère-Bertschi A, Vogt B, Mohaupt M, Martin PY, Paccaud F, Burnier M, Bochud M, Stringhini S.Sociodemographic, behavioral and genetic determinants of allostatic load in a Swiss population-based study.Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2016;67:76-85. doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2016.02.003Steptoe A, Hackett RA, Lazzarino AI, Bostock S, La Marca R, Carvalho LA, Hamer M.Disruption of multisystem responses to stress in type 2 diabetes: investigating the dynamics of allostatic load.Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2014;111(44):15693-8. doi:10.1073/pnas.1410401111Abercrombie HC, Giese-Davis J, Sephton S, Epel ES, Turner-Cobb JM, Spiegel D.Flattened cortisol rhythms in metastatic breast cancer patients.Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2004;29(8):1082-92. doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2003.11Bey GS, Waring ME, Jesdale BM, Person SD.Gendered race modification of the association between chronic stress and depression among Black and White U.S. adults.Am J Orthopsychiatry.2018;88(2):151-160. doi:10.1037/ort0000301Thayer Z, Barbosa-Leiker C, McDonell M, Nelson L, Buchwald D, Manson S.Early life trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder, and allostatic load in a sample of American Indian adults.Am J Hum Biol. 2017;29(3):10.1002/ajhb.22943. doi:10.1002/ajhb.22943Rodriquez EJ, Kim EN, Sumner AE, Nápoles AM, Pérez-Stable EJ.Allostatic Load: Importance, Markers, and Score Determination in Minority and Disparity Populations. J Urban Health. 2019 Mar;96(Suppl 1):3-11. doi: 10.1007/s11524-019-00345-5.American Psychological Association.Healthy ways to handle life’s stressors.Wang X, Cai L, Qian J, Peng J.Social support moderates stress effects on depression.Int J Ment Health Syst. 2014;8(1):41. doi:10.1186/1752-4458-8-41Brooks KP, Gruenewald T, Karlamangla A, Hu P, Koretz B, Seeman TE.Social relationships and allostatic load in the MIDUS study.Health Psychol. 2014;33(11):1373-81. doi:10.1037/a0034528

Logan JG, Barksdale DJ.Allostasis and allostatic load: expanding the discourse on stress and cardiovascular disease.J Clin Nurs. 2008;17(7B):201-8. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2702.2008.02347.x

Parker HW, Abreu AM, Sullivan MC, Vadiveloo MK.Allostatic load and mortality: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Am J Prev Med. 2022;63(1):131-140. doi:10.1016/j.amepre.2022.02.003

McEwen BS.Stress, adaptation, and disease: allostasis and allostatic load.Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences. 1998;840(1):33-44. doi:10.1111/j.1749-6632.1998.tb09546.x

Rodriquez EJ, Kim EN, Sumner AE, Nápoles AM, Pérez-Stable EJ.Allostatic load: Importance, markers, and score determination in minority and disparity populations.J Urban Health. 2019;96(Suppl 1):3-11. doi:10.1007/s11524-019-00345-5

D’Alessio L, Korman GP, Sarudiansky M, et al.Reducing allostatic load in depression and anxiety disorders: physical activity and yoga practice as add-on therapies.Front Psychiatry. 2020;11:501. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00501

Petrovic D, Pivin E, Ponte B, Dhayat N, Pruijm M, Ehret G, Ackermann D, Guessous I, Younes SE, Pechère-Bertschi A, Vogt B, Mohaupt M, Martin PY, Paccaud F, Burnier M, Bochud M, Stringhini S.Sociodemographic, behavioral and genetic determinants of allostatic load in a Swiss population-based study.Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2016;67:76-85. doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2016.02.003

Steptoe A, Hackett RA, Lazzarino AI, Bostock S, La Marca R, Carvalho LA, Hamer M.Disruption of multisystem responses to stress in type 2 diabetes: investigating the dynamics of allostatic load.Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2014;111(44):15693-8. doi:10.1073/pnas.1410401111

Abercrombie HC, Giese-Davis J, Sephton S, Epel ES, Turner-Cobb JM, Spiegel D.Flattened cortisol rhythms in metastatic breast cancer patients.Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2004;29(8):1082-92. doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2003.11

Bey GS, Waring ME, Jesdale BM, Person SD.Gendered race modification of the association between chronic stress and depression among Black and White U.S. adults.Am J Orthopsychiatry.2018;88(2):151-160. doi:10.1037/ort0000301

Thayer Z, Barbosa-Leiker C, McDonell M, Nelson L, Buchwald D, Manson S.Early life trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder, and allostatic load in a sample of American Indian adults.Am J Hum Biol. 2017;29(3):10.1002/ajhb.22943. doi:10.1002/ajhb.22943

Rodriquez EJ, Kim EN, Sumner AE, Nápoles AM, Pérez-Stable EJ.Allostatic Load: Importance, Markers, and Score Determination in Minority and Disparity Populations. J Urban Health. 2019 Mar;96(Suppl 1):3-11. doi: 10.1007/s11524-019-00345-5.

American Psychological Association.Healthy ways to handle life’s stressors.

Wang X, Cai L, Qian J, Peng J.Social support moderates stress effects on depression.Int J Ment Health Syst. 2014;8(1):41. doi:10.1186/1752-4458-8-41

Brooks KP, Gruenewald T, Karlamangla A, Hu P, Koretz B, Seeman TE.Social relationships and allostatic load in the MIDUS study.Health Psychol. 2014;33(11):1373-81. doi:10.1037/a0034528

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