Stress can be a very dangerous thing, especially because it’s usually
masked under some pretty vague symptoms, making it nearly impossible to
detect. However, you don’t do something to unwind and relax it can
become the root cause of a number of conditions.
Here are 9 of the tell-tale signs that you’re overstressed and you don’t even know it!
YOUR BODY IS IN PAIN.
When we’re in pain we tend to ignore it until it becomes unbearable,
which is completely wrong. Every pain in our body needs to be addressed,
especially because it can indicate a more serious issue. Stress can
cause your body to start breaking down, leading to stomach issues,
diarrhea, ulcers, tense muscles, chest pains and palpitations. Your
entire body will start aching, your arthritis will kick in and the
headaches will become more intense. Never ignore these pains, address
the issue and accept the fact that you’re pushing yourself too hard.
Managing your stress begins with accepting and become aware that things
must change.
YOU AREN’T SLEEPING WELL.
If your sleep patterns have recently changed, be it too much sleeping
due to exhaustion or insomnia, you need to change something. You’re
probably overstressed and your body finds the best way it can to cope
with the stress. Meditation, exercise and a healthier diet can help you
with the sleep problems, but the root cause should be discovered and
dealt with properly. Do you worry a lot before you go to bed? Are you
having nightmares? Whatever happens throughout the day can linger on in
your subconscious and cause you sleep problems. Stress can interfere
with your inner peace. Even though your sleep habits can change as you
age, when you’re overstressed your sleep is the first thing that gets
affected.
YOU HAVE WEIGHT FLUCTUATIONS.
Any unexplained weight fluctuations can be a result of stress. It can
slow down your metabolism and you’ll start gaining weight. If you
suddenly lose your appetite and the pound start shedding away it can
also be a result of stress, every person reacts differently to stress.
Whatever the case, you should address the issue and fix the problem.
YOU CAN’T STOP THINKING ABOUT WORK OR PROBLEMS.
If you constantly think about work, finances, and other challenges
without being able to unwind and relax, stress has a hold of your life.
Mark Twain said, “Worrying is like paying a debt you don’t owe.” You
cannot find a solution until you detach from the problem. Worrying can
only escalate to cause psychological and physical problems. If you are
constantly checking your phone, emails, and other forms of communication
from work, it is time to really face what’s important in your life.
YOU CAN’T SIT STILL.
The inability to sit still is a sure sign of being overstressed. Anxiety
and stress can make you uncomfortable with your own thoughts and your
mind can be your worst enemy. If you can’t go for a walk, sit in
contemplation, do gentle stretching exercises or just be with your own
thoughts, there is a chance you are overly stressed. Find a way to
manage your anxiety and fears and face what’s really troubling you.
Avoiding the problem can only make it worse and soon you’ll be facing a
much bigger one.
YOU HAVE LITTLE PATIENCE WITH OTHERS.
Stress can make you impatient and intolerant, making you snappy and
irritated pretty quickly, even towards the ones closest to you. However,
it’s not their fault that you’ve taken on too much and they should
become your exhaust. If you snap on the smallest things and get angry
for no reason you’re probably dealing with too much stress and you
should find a way to slow down and relax.
YOU HAVE MAJOR MOOD SWINGS.
If you experience major mood swings, feeling happy one moment and crying
the next, stress could be affecting your hormone levels. Bottling up
and carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders doesn’t help you
need to open up and talk to other people. Discover what’s really causing
this because stress can enhance anxiety disorders, obsessive compulsive
disorders and addictions (from alcohol, drugs, sexual or food) and
other mental health issues.
YOU HAVE HAIR LOSS.
Carolyn Jacob, MD, founder and medical director of Chicago Cosmetic
Surgery and Dermatology, says that “Typically, people shed about 100
hairs a day. Most people don’t even notice. Sometimes, a significant
stress of sort may spark a change in your body’s routine physiological
functions, and cause a disproportionate number of hairs to go into the
resting phase at the same time. Then three to four months later,
sometimes longer, all those resting hairs are shed. The effect can be
alarming. The types of events that disrupt the normal hair cycle can be
caused by the substantial physiological stresses on your body.” If you
start experiencing alarming hair loss you need to reevaluate your stress
levels and find out what’s causing it.
YOU HAVE A LOSS OF LIBIDO.
Stress can affect your libido, and this is the last thing people think
about. Whenever stress levels increase, the stress hormone secretions
responsible for sexual response get affected. Stress causes exhaustion
and the inability to experience any kind of intimacy. If you notice that
your libido has weakened you should try stress management and some
relaxation technique. Your relationship shouldn’t suffer the
consequences, so open up and discuss your problems; it will make things
easier for everyone.
