Stress is the tension you feel when faced with a situation that is unpleasant or threatening. Although some stress is normal, too much stress can affect your mental and physical health. According to the American Psychological Association, stress is an underlying factor in chronic health conditions such as heart disease, migraine headaches, high blood pressure and stroke. While everyone responds to stress differently, there are some commonly reported symptoms.
Muscle Tension
Many people develop neck or back pain when they are under pressure. Although the reasons for this are unknown, some experts think it could be due to restricted blood flow to the affected areas. To relieve this tension, do some stretching exercises, or practice deep breathing for relaxation.
Trouble Sleeping
According to the National Sleep Foundation,stress is considered to be the top cause of short-term sleeping problems. If problems such as insomnia aren't managed properly, they can persist long after the original stress has passed.[Reference 3]
If you are having trouble sleeping, avoid caffeine, nicotine and alcohol. Making sure to exercise at least three hours before bed time, and establishing a regular, relaxing bedtime routine are other ways you can address sleeplessness.
Irritability
Frequently losing your temper or venting your emotions by raising your voice can be warning signs that you are experiencing significant amounts of stress. If you find that you are more irritable than usual, make a list of the possible stressors in your life and attempt to address them.
Headaches
According to the Mayo Clinic, most headaches are not indicative of major health issues and are often a symptom of stress. Stress hormones can alter the level of certain chemicals in the brain, which may contribute to headaches. Tensing your muscles or grinding your teeth in response to stressful situations can aggravate the pain.
If you regularly get migraine headaches, stress may be a trigger for these attacks. However, if you have a headache that is sudden or severe, or that doesn't respond to over-the-counter pain medication, you should consult a physician immediately.
Stomachaches
Tightness or pain in your stomach can be a symptom of stress. Because the colon is partially controlled by the nervous system, stress can sometimes cause colon spasms that lead to abdominal pain. Breathing exercises, mediation and yoga can help you relax your body, and often relieve this type of pain.
Difficulty Concentrating
If you are feeling overwhelmed with obligations or consumed with worry about financial or family issues, you may have difficulty concentrating on work or school. Talking with friends, family or a health care provider is one way to address this issue. While you may not come up with solutions for your problems, talking may make you feel better.
References
- Stress a Major Health Problem in The U.S., Warns APA
- Medscape Today: An Expert Interview with Dr. John Sarno
- "The ABCs of ZZZs"; The National Sleep Foundation pamphlet, CFC#10120
- Mayo Clinic: Headaches
- National Digestive Diseases Clearinghouse: Irritable Bowel Syndrome
