Find Out If You Have The Symptoms of Stress

Do you have sleeping problems? Do you find it hard to concentrate? Do you experience pains in your lower shoulders? If you do, then you have some of the common symptoms of stress, which can take place in your body, thoughts and feelings, and behavior.

Stress is often seen as something negative. But what should be understood about it is that it is the body’s response to events or situations that make us feel threatened or upset our balance in some way. It is what makes you immediately look for the emergency exit when there is fire or a related situation takes place; it is what makes you study and prepare for an upcoming exam and not just watch T.V.

But, when our body is always put on this “alert” mode, it is the time when stress can cause us harm not only physically, but also emotionally, mentally, and socially. In other words, it can affect our overall health. So what are the signs when you get too much of it?

Here are some of them:

Physical

• headache
• pounding heart
• chest pain
• high blood pressure
• back pain
• muscle pains
• upset stomach
• weight gain or loss
• hair loss
• shortness of breath
• skin problems (hives, eczema, psoriasis, tics, itching)
• immune system suppression

Emotional and Cognitive

• irritability
• agitation
• depression
• inability to concentrate
• memory problems
• seeing only the negative
• constant worrying

Behavioral

• overeating
• undereating
• angry outbursts
• excessive drinking
• increased smoking
• drug abuse
• isolating oneself from others
• procrastinating or neglecting responsibilities
• crying spells

Proper stress management, then, cannot be overemphasized. While stressors are part of our everyday lives and having to face them is inevitable, certain measures can be taken to manage and control them, thus preventing them from negatively affecting our overall health.

One good measure that you can take is to set aside some time of the day when you can momentarily forget your obligations and just relax. Healthy relaxation activities include taking a walk alone or with some peers, taking a nice warm bath, curling up with a good book, talking to a good friend, and writing down your feelings. Stay away, on the other hand, from counterproductive activities such as smoking and excessive drinking.

To further avoid the symptoms of stress, consider these:

• Be aware of how you react to certain stressors.
• Have a healthy lifestyle – have a balanced diet, exercise regularly, and get enough sleep at night.
• Recognize your limits and set realistic goals
• Think positively.