Stress Symptoms and Physical Effects Of Stress On The Body

Stress affects us all and We've all felt it. Sometimes stress can be a positive force, motivating you to perform well at your piano recital or job interview. But often like when you're stuck in traffic, it's a negative force. If you experience stress over a prolonged period of time, it could become chronic unless you take action.The first step to controlling stress is to know the symptoms of stress. But recognizing stress symptoms may be harder than you think. Most of us are so used to being stressed, we often don't know we are stressed until we are at the breaking point.

1. What Is Stress?

1. Stress is the body's reaction to harmful situations -- whether they’re real or perceived. When you feel threatened, a chemical reaction occurs in your body that allows you to act in a way to prevent injury. This reaction is known as "fight-or-flight,” or the stress response. During stress response, your heart rate increases, breathing quickens, muscles tighten, and blood pressurerises. You’ve gotten ready to act. It is how you protect yourself.
2. Symptoms of Stress?
3. Stress can affect all aspects of your life, including your emotions, behaviors, thinking ability, and physical health. No part of the body is immune. But, because people handle stress differently, symptoms of stress can vary. Symptoms can be vague and may be the same as those caused by medical conditions.

Emotional symptoms of stress include:

1. Becoming easily agitated, frustrated, and moody
2. Feeling overwhelmed, like you are losing control or need to take control
3. Having difficulty relaxing and quieting your mind
4. Feeling bad about yourself (low self-esteem), lonely, worthless, and depressed
5. Avoiding others

1. Physical symptoms of stress include:

1. Low energy
2. Headaches
3. Upset stomach, including diarrhea, constipation, and nausea
4. Aches, pains, and tense muscles
5. Chest pain and rapid heartbeat
6. Insomnia
7. Frequent colds and infections
8. Loss of sexual desire and/or ability
9. Nervousness and shaking, ringing in the ear, cold or sweaty hands and feet
10. Dry mouth and difficulty swallowing
11. Clenched jaw and grinding teeth
12. Cognitive symptoms of stress include:
13. Constant worrying
14. Racing thoughts
15. Forgetfulness and disorganization
16. Inability to focus
17. Poor judgment
18. Being pessimistic or seeing only the negative side
19. 
    

Behavioral symptoms of stress include:

1. Changes in appetite -- either not eating or eating too much

1. Procrastinating and avoiding responsibilities

1. Increased use of alcohol, drugs, or cigarettes

1. Exhibiting more nervous behaviors, such as nail biting, fidgeting, and pacing.

What you can do

Reducing your stress levels can not only make you feel better right now, but may also protect your health long-term.Other strategies for reducing stress include:

1. Identify what's causing stress. Monitor your state of mind throughout the day. If you feel stressed, write down the cause, your thoughts and your mood. Once you know what's bothering you, develop a plan for addressing it. That might mean setting more reasonable expectations for yourself and others or asking for help with household responsibilities, job assignments or other tasks. List all your commitments, assess your priorities and then eliminate any tasks that are not absolutely essential.
2. Build strong relationships. Relationships can be a source of stress. Research has found that negative, hostile reactions with your spouse cause immediate changes in stress-sensitive hormones, for example.7 But relationships can also serve as stress buffers. Reach out to family members or close friends and let them know you're having a tough time. They may be able to offer practical assistance and support, useful ideas or just a fresh perspective as you begin to tackle whatever's causing your stress.
3. Walk away when you're angry. Before you react, take time to regroup by counting to 10. Then reconsider. Walking or other physical activities can also help you work off steam. Plus, exercise increases the production of endorphins, your body's natural mood-booster. Commit to a daily walk or other form of exercise — a small step that can make a big difference in reducing stress levels.
4. Rest your mind. According to APA's 2012 Stress in America survey, stress keeps more than 40 percent of adults lying awake at night. To help ensure you get the recommended seven or eight hours of shut-eye, cut back on caffeine, remove distractions such as television or computers from your bedroom and go to bed at the same time each night. Research shows that activities like yoga and relaxation exercises not only help reduce stress, but also boost immune functioning.8
5. Get help. If you continue to feel overwhelmed, consult with a psychologist or other licensed mental health professional who can help you learn how to manage stress effectively. He or she can help you identify situations or behaviors that contribute to your chronic stress and then develop an action plan for changing them.