Learn to Recognize the Symptoms of Stress
Virtually everyone on this earth has experienced stress in one form or another. It is your body’s natural reaction to help you adjust to the changes and challenges of life. Whether these stressors include work, a big exam, or dealing with home life, some stress is normal.
We can even experience healthy and/or acute stress in short bursts, which can increase productivity or help us avoid danger. In other words, that adrenaline pushing you to finish that marathon or work project is a good thing.
Your stress response can cause your body to stay alert and work harder to achieve those important goals.
However, bad or chronic stress—the kind that negatively impacts our mental, physical, and emotional health—occurs when stress persists over a long period of time. We become used to this type of stress as a part of our everyday lives and forget how to manage it.
A perfect example of chronic stress is this pandemic which has lasted longer than most of us thought it would. According to the American Psychological Association, nearly 80% of adults categorize the pandemic as a significant source of stress.
Financial struggles, managing your kids’ remote learning, or postponing important events are just a few of the issues people are facing.
When you experience prolonged levels of stress, your body and mind begin to break down. The issue is that many of us are so busy fighting and surviving that we don’t realize how bad it really is.
So, the first step in addressing this problem is recognizing the symptoms.
Below are some of the physical, emotional, and behavioral symptoms of stress.
Physical
fatigue
sleep difficulties
weakened immune system
headaches/migraines
chest and stomach pain
nausea
Emotional
anxiety
depression/sadness
irritability
loss of motivation
restlessness
mood swings
Behavioral
drug or alcohol use
social isolation
unhealthy eating or eating disorders
nail biting
gambling
What else can you do?
Journaling is a great tool that can help you pinpoint how you may be unconsciously reacting to the stressors in your life. Write down your thoughts for some clarity. The Balanced + Well blog has awesome monthly journal prompts and helpful worksheets you can check out.
I spoke about this in an earlier blog but another way to identify and reflect on your stress is by taking the Life Stress Test. This proven method helps you assess the amount of stress you’ve endured over the past 12 to 24 months.
Ask for help. I can’t emphasize how important it is to use the people and resources around you. Reach out to trusted family and friends, or find a professional to help you navigate your stress.
Practice relaxing habits such as yoga, good sleep hygiene, and mindfulness. Feel free to browse through other blog posts for useful tips that help you cultivate these habits.
Key Takeaway
Check-in with yourself on a regular basis to proactively reduce the potential, long-term effects of stress.
Once you learn how to recognize some of the symptoms mentioned above, you can gradually find ways to handle your stress healthily. To get started, I have provided a worksheet below.
You can also book a free discovery session with me to discuss how you can manage your stress. And while you’re at it, don’t forget to sign up for the Balanced + Well newsletter to receive updates about the program.