Symptoms of Stress

It seems today that we are all in a state of perpetual motion both physically and emotionally. Working long hours, raising families, going to school, no matter what occupies us, stress is present every step of the way. We are constantly being faced with the challenge of adapting to changes and obstacles in our lives. Naturally the body will engage its defenses to deal with these new stressful situations.

The following is list of some common indicators of stress and its symptoms:

Cognitive symptoms of stress

•  Memory problems or memory loss
•  Difficulty in concentrating
•  Bad judgment
•  Lack of ability to make both critical and everyday decisions
•  Nervousness or apprehension
•  Persistent pessimism
•  Constant worry

Emotional symptoms of stress

•  Irritability
•  Inability to control temper
•  Feelings of isolation
•  Feelings of seclusion or loneliness
•  Mood swings including depression
•  Inability to relax

Physical symptoms of stress

•  Insomnia
•  Back pain
•  Headaches/migraines
•  Dizziness accompanied by nausea
•  Tension in the muscles and muscle soreness
•  Skin rashes/pimples
•  Weight gain or loss (depending on the personality)

Behavioral symptoms of stress

•  Changes in eating behavior
•  Changes in sleeping behavior/sleeping too much or not enough
•  Temper tantrums/tendency to overreact
•  Neglecting family or work responsibilities
•  Intentionally isolating oneself from others
•  Abuse of alcohol, cigarettes or drugs
•  Development of ticks or twitches or other nervous habits such as nail biting, etc.

Reactions to these symptoms of stress will vary from person to person. This is not meant to be a comprehensive list but a general overview of stress-related symptoms.

Based on in-depth research and study of statistics, psychologists have determined the top causes of stress to be the death of a loved one, separation from family (including divorce), incarceration, loss of employment, wedding preparation, financial problems, deadlines and other work related issues, marriage problems and retirement. All life changing events.

It is never easy to cope with situations such as these. However, it is important to take action if you feel you have been dealing with a high level of stress for a prolonged period of time.

It is possible to control our behavior patterns and attitudes. As much as possible we should try to form a positive attitude and outlook on life. We must also try to come to terms with the fact that very little in our lives is permanent. We are constantly dealing with change and it is our lack of preparation for these changes that can cause us to become overwhelmed with stress. While it’s probably not possible to adequately prepare ourselves for the loss of a family member or the abrupt end of a marriage or job, we can prepare ourselves for change in general which will better equip us to deal with the stress of life altering events when they hit us.

There are a number of stress management and stress relief techniques available today that can be done at home, at work or in the car. Deep breathing, muscle relaxation, laughter and positive thinking are among the most effective. Research and try out which are most effective for you and put them to use in your everyday life.

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