Skip to main content

Chronic Thermal Stress

Meaning

Chronic Thermal Stress refers to the sustained physiological strain imposed on the body by prolonged exposure to temperatures significantly outside the thermoneutral zone, encompassing both chronic heat and chronic cold exposure. Unlike acute stress, this chronic state necessitates a continuous, long-term adaptive response from the body to maintain its core temperature and homeostatic balance. Within hormonal health, this stressor acts as a persistent allostatic load, demanding constant adjustments from the endocrine and metabolic systems. The body’s inability to fully adapt to this persistent thermal challenge can lead to fatigue and metabolic dysfunction over time.