Stress can affect us in many different ways, including our emotions, our body, and how we behave. Sometimes we might be able to tell right away when we are stressed, but at other times, we might keep going without recognizing the signs. Here are some common signs and symptoms of stress:
Emotional symptoms of stress:
- Irritability, anger, impatience, or feeling wound up
- Feeling overwhelmed or overburdened
- Anxiety, nervousness, or fear
- Racing thoughts and inability to switch off
- Inability to enjoy oneself
- Depression
- Loss of sense of humor
- Sense of dread
- Worried or tense
- Neglected or lonely
- Existing mental health problems getting worse
Physical symptoms of stress:
- Difficulty breathing
- Panic attacks
- Blurred eyesight or sore eyes
- Sleep problems
- Low energy
- Headaches
- Upset stomach, including diarrhea, constipation, and nausea
- Aches, pains, and tense muscles
- Chest pain and rapid heartbeat
- Insomnia
- Frequent colds and infections
- Loss of sexual desire and/or ability
- Nervousness and shaking, ringing in the ears, and cold or sweaty hands and feet
- Dry mouth and a hard time swallowing
- Clenched jaw and grinding teeth
Behavioral symptoms of stress:
- Being irritable and snappy
- Sleeping too much or too little
- Eating too much or too little
- Avoiding certain places or people
- Drinking or smoking more
Its important to note that stress is subjective and not measurable with tests. Only the person experiencing it can determine whether its present and how severe it feels. If youre finding it hard to cope with stress, its important to talk about your feelings to a friend, family member, or health professional.
