can include nail biting, sweating, dizziness and feeling shaky or faint. Stress can also change your eating habits, either by making you overeat or lose your appetite. More severe effects include shortness of breath, chest pains, stomach problems and a complete loss of interest in sex. The physical effects of stress build up over time. Suffering from long-term stress can even lead to raised blood pressure and an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes.