Everybody experiences stress, because it's a normal response to anxiety-provoking situations, danger and threats. You might feel stress when you get pulled over for speeding or when you get an unexpected bill in the mail. If you learn the symptoms of stress and start recognizing them, you can take steps to reduce your level of stress ,which will improve your physical and mental health.
Concentration
If you're stressed out, you'll probably have a hard time concentrating. Children and teens might find that they can't pay attention to their teachers or complete their tests and homework. Adults might find their minds wandering when they're at work.
Poor Judgment
Helpguide.org reports that people experiencing stress are more likely to have poor judgment. You might say something hurtful to your spouse without thinking or buy something expensive that you don't really need. A teen might skip school or experiment with drugs without considering the consequences.
Pain
Your body is physically affected when you become stressed. MayoClinic.com states that you might have headaches, back pain, chest pain or nausea due to stress.
Sickness
You might experience heart palpitations or high blood pressure when stressed. These physical symptoms can lead to more serious issues, such as heart disease.
Mood
When you're stressed out, you may feel irritable and moody. You might snap at your loved ones, argue with your coworkers and feel happy one minute and sad the next.
Mental Health Issues
If you suffer from overwhelming anxiety or stress, you might develop a mental health disorder such as depression or panic disorder, according to MayoClinic.com.
Loss of Sex Drive
Helpguide.org notes that people under stress usually experience a loss of sex drive. If you find that your libido has decreased, stress could be the culprit. You may not realize that your sex drive has decreased, but your partner probably will.
Sleep Problems
If you're lying in bed with thoughts racing through your mind, it will probably make falling asleep and staying asleep difficult. If your sleep patterns change, you might be suffering from overwhelming stress.
Eating Changes
Some people use food to cope with stress. You might eat much more when you're stressed out, which can lead to weight gain. Other people don't have an appetite when stressed. You could severely restrict your calories without realizing it and lose weight.
Isolation
Stress can cause you to want to stay in bed all day, isolating yourself from your loved ones and your responsibilities. If you find yourself avoiding your friends and family members and procrastinating, it could be due to stress.
