Symptoms of Stress

Sometimes, you may become depressed, irritable, confused and restless. You may lose your interest in daily routine activities. You may also experience chest pain, sweaty palms and muscle tension. All these symptoms indicate that you are stressed. Today, modern life is full of problems, hassles, frustrations, tensions and stress. Rather we can say, a stressful lifestyle has become a way of our life. Stress can be explained as the body's natural response to particular events. Stress is associated with various sources like interpersonal relationships, workplace, financial problems or illness.

Symptoms of Stress

Stress affects our physical and mental health in various ways. It causes various chemical and hormonal changes in the body. When exposed to stressors, the human body activates the nervous system and promotes hormonal secretions. The production of hormones like cortisol and adrenaline is increased by the adrenal glands. These hormones are released in the bloodstream, which can accelerate breathing rate, heart rate, blood pressure and metabolism. There is also excessive sweating to cool the body. A person may display various cognitive and physical symptoms. Signs and symptoms of stress can vary from person to person. The severity of symptoms depends upon the type of stressors and the person's tolerance level.

Emotional or Cognitive Symptoms: A person following a stressful lifestyle may experience irritability, frustration, restlessness and difficulty in concentration. He/she may have noticeable mood swings and lack a sense of humor. The person may indulge in negative self-talk and always think about negative things. The stressed person generally tend to eat too much, even when he/she is not hungry. He/she is often confused and experiences difficulty in decision making.

Physical Symptoms: The effects of stress generally resemble the symptoms of other illnesses. Stress weakens our immune system and makes us vulnerable to numerous health related problems. Physical symptoms of stress are headache, frequent attacks of cold and flu, muscle tension, muscle spasms, chest pain, pain in neck or shoulders, low back pain, stomach or abdominal pain, indigestion, diarrhea, excess sweating, insomnia or excessive sleep and shortness of breath. Some people suffer from autoimmune diseases and skin problems like eczema.

Chronic stress can increase the risk of depression, high blood pressure and heart diseases. It also increases the frequency of asthma attacks and migraines. Diabetics experience fluctuations in the blood glucose levels due to stress. Some individuals can also develop a stress-related illness, called post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), usually after natural disasters or scary events like war. Some people opt for alcoholism, drug addiction or smoking to get rid of stress. But, this is not the correct way. In fact, these unhealthy habits can lead to a number of health problems.

Since stress causes hazardous effects on your overall health and your lifestyle, it is very essential to control it. You can opt for medications like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and various stress management techniques. Relaxation techniques, meditation, yoga and tai-chi are some of the effective ways for stress relief. Regular exercises with a nutritious, healthy diet can also help control stress.

Stress may not always be bad. Many people are of the opinion that stress motivates them to perform their best. However, don't let stress cloud your positive thinking. Keep stress out of your life by following a healthy lifestyle and positive thinking. After all, a healthy mind is the key to a healthy body. Be happy and healthy!