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The Warning Signs of Stress

Stress is a common problem faced by millions of people around the world. Some of the common causes of stress include problems in personal relationships, financial problems, work pressure and unexpected changes in circumstance. High levels of stress can cause hypertension and an increased risk of stroke or heart disease, and will make you age faster. To combat stress, it is first important to recognize its signs and symptoms.

  1. Inability to Concentrate

    • One of the major end results of stress is the tendency to worry excessively. You may develop an irrational fear of events such as natural disasters or you may spend a lot of time worrying about negative things that have only a remote possibility of ever occurring. This can interfere with your ability to concentrate on tasks at hand and you may catch yourself making more mistakes. You may also find it difficult to make decisions and have trouble remembering things.

    Nervous Behavior

    • Stress can cause frustration and you may find yourself unable to calm down or sit still. You may also find yourself biting your nails, grinding your teeth, fidgeting, pacing or talking excessively. Stress also makes your heart beat faster and increases the pace of your breathing.

    Moodiness

    • Stress causes a lot of problems on an emotional level as well. You may feel lonely and isolated. You may also lose your temper more often and find yourself snapping or shouting at others.

    Change in Appetite

    • Stress can make you eat more or less than usual. It can lead to health problems due to low weight, or it can lead to obesity.

    Change in Sleeping Pattern

    • If you find yourself sleepy and tired all the time, it could be because of stress. Conversely, if you are on edge all the time and unable to rest, the reason could be stress.

    Physical Discomfort

    • Stress can cause physical problems such as shortness of breath, muscle pain and body ache. It can also cause digestive problems such as diarrhea. It can make you feel nauseous and sick. It can also cause muscular spasms. Long-term stress can cause skin problems such as rashes and can even contribute to conditions such as eczema.

    Chest Pain

    • High levels of stress can cause chest pain, which may be a sign of something more serious such as a heart attack. Stress can also cause pain in the neck, back and shoulders.

    Sweating

    • Another common sign of stress is sweating even when you are physically inactive. If your hands and feet start getting cold and you find yourself holding your breath, it could be because of stress.

    Weak Immune System

    • Stress can affect the immune system, making you more vulnerable to infection. You may find yourself catching the cold or flu more often. You may also get more headaches because of stress.

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