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The Different Symptoms of Stress

Most people experience stress from time to time, whether it is related to work, family or simply the rigors of the day-to-day grind in life. Although people are often aware of the mental effects that stress can have, it also can be helpful to aware of the many possible physical symptoms, as well. Stress can manifest itself in a variety of ways that can affect both how you feel and your overall health.

  1. Headaches

    • Headaches, particularly migraines, are a very common symptom of stress. With stress headaches, people might also experience jaw clenching. Migraine headaches are characterized by an intense, throbbing pain (generally on just one side of the head), nausea and occasional vomiting.

    Stomach

    • For some people, stress can literally make them "sick to their stomach," as the saying goes. Stress can lead to stomach upset, acidic stomachs, intense stomach pains and even heartburn.

    Tension

    • Stress can lead to tension, which itself can bring on muscle aches and pains. Muscle spasms, as well as back and neck pains, can also occur in stressed-out individuals.

    Clamminess

    • Stress can cause people to experience body chills, which can lead to clamminess. People with stress might notice that their feet, hands and palms are sweaty and cold to the touch.

    Skin

    • Stress can bring on pesky and unsightly skin conditions, including chronic conditions like eczema and psoriasis. Other possible skin symptoms of stress include itchiness, flakiness and breaking out in hives.

    Exhaustion

    • If a person notices that she simply feels exhausted, lethargic, weak and too fatigued to go about her daily activities (no matter how much sleep she gets), she very possibly is experiencing a serious case of stress. On the other hand, stress can also bring on insomnia.

    Shakiness

    • Stress can make the nerves shaky and as a result, can appear in physical symptoms such as tremors of the hands and lips.

    Fainting

    • Feelings of lightheadedness and dizziness are common with stressed-out people. In more serious instances, dizziness could lead to passing out, as well.

    Weight

    • When some people are extremely stressed, their anxieties and worries could cause them to lose all interest in food and healthy appetite. This problem could bring on eating problems and even severe medical conditions such as anorexia nervosa.

    Breathing Problems

    • Breathing issues are another common possibility with stress. People with stress might experience shortness of breath, difficulty catching their breath (particularly after physical exertion such as cardio exercise) and excessive sighing.

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