Stress affects us all. You may notice symptoms of stress
when disciplining your kids, during busy times at work, when managing
your finances, or when coping with a challenging relationship. Stress is
everywhere. And while a little stress is OK -- some stress is actually
beneficial -- too much stress can wear you down and make you sick, both
mentally and physically.
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The first step to controlling stress is to know the symptoms of
stress. But recognizing stress symptoms may be harder than you think.
Most of us are so used to being stressed, we often don't know we are
stressed until we are at the breaking point.
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Stress is the body's reaction to harmful situations -- whether
they’re real or perceived. When you feel threatened, a chemical reaction
occurs in your body that allows you to act in a way to prevent injury.
This reaction is known as "fight-or-flight,” or the stress response.
During stress response, your heart rate increases, breathing quickens, muscles tighten, and blood pressure rises. You’ve gotten ready to act. It is how you protect yourself.
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Symptoms of stress.
Low energie
Insomnia
Muscles tighten
Hyperventilation
Headache
Limited your view.
Aches, pains, and tense muscles.
Chest pain and rapid heartbeat
Skin irritations
Frequent colds and infections.
Loss of sexual desire and/or ability
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Stress means different things to different people. What causes stress
in one person may be of little concern to another. Some people are
better able to handle stress than others. And, not all stress is bad. In
small doses, stress can help you accomplish tasks and prevent you from
getting hurt. For example, stress is what gets you to slam on the breaks
to avoid hitting the car in front of you. That's a good thing.
Our bodies are designed to handle small doses of stress. But,
we are not equipped to handle long-term, chronic stress without ill
consequences.
What Are the Symptoms of Stress?
Stress can affect all aspects of your life, including your
emotions, behaviors, thinking ability, and physical health. No part of
the body is immune. But, because people handle stress differently,
symptoms of stress can vary. Symptoms can be vague and may be the same
as those caused by medical conditions. So it is important to discuss
them with your doctor. You may experience any of the following symptoms
of stress.
