Stress has become our daily companion…but acknowledging that you are under excess amount of stress is not an indication that you are weak person.
Stress response is our natural reaction to spending a continuous period of time dealing with more pressure than we have inborn ability to cope with.
Recognising that you may not be coping well with all the pressures you are facing, is the first stage in managing your own well-being and health.
The signs and symptoms of stress vary greatly from person to person and the experience of stress is very individual. Stress is more or less like a hidden danger because sometimes it can show up in very unpredictable ways, from depression to sudden bursts of aggression or even an unexplained illness.
So, it is very important for us to be able to identify when we are under high levels of stress and even more importantly to identify the source of it, and what in particular may be causing negative feelings or emotions and changes in our behaviour.
The first step in finding the source of your stress is to identify the specific signs and symptoms that you may be experiencing.
Stress can manifest in your life in a many different ways including physically, emotionally, and cognitively. When you’re stressed out, it can affect everything from muscle tension, to your mood, to your thoughts and feelings.
Here are the most common symptoms of stress:
Physical Symptoms of Stress
- Racing, worrisome thoughts
- Disorganization, forgetfulness
- Trouble concentrating
- Weakness and fatigue
- Low energy
- Headaches, muscle aches, tension
- Anxiety, shaking, nervousness
- Short temper and irritability
- Mood swings
- Negative mindset
- Digestive and other unexplained health issues
- Low self esteem
- Feelings of losing control
While excessive stress can cause us to feel like our lives are spiralling out of control, there are some ways to manage it and help you feel calm and grounded again, however if you could not manage stress on your own do not hesitate to sick professional help too.