There’s no avoiding stress. It’s just part of being human. While we may have developed to the point where we don’t need to be wary of killer threats from all sides, our genetic makeup remains the same as the days when we did have to be on guard against danger. Most people experience stress in small ways — it’ll be a fleeting moment. However, in some cases, you might find that your stress sticks around for longer than normal. In those moments, it’s handy to be aware of the common signs of stress. If you know what you’re looking for, then you can get to work on moving on from the symptoms and signs.
Stress typically manifests itself in various ways, including emotional and physical symptoms, as well behavioral side effects. In this blog, we’ll run through them all, so you know what you’re looking for.
Emotional Signs
When you’re feeling stressed, you might find that you’re more emotionally volatile than normal. You could feel frustrated and snap at things that you’d normally let go of. You may also feel bad about yourself and have feelings of depression and worthlessness. You may wish to avoid others.
Physical Signs
Your body can also produce physical responses to stress. For example, you may have headaches or aches, and pains in your muscles. A common symptom is a lack of energy — even though you’re sleeping more, you still feel tired. Stress can also lower your immune system, so you may find that you’re getting colds and infections more easily. A loss of sexual desire and teeth-grinding or jaw clenching are also common.
Behavioral Issues
The signs of stress aren’t just to do with how you feel emotionally and physically. It can also influence how we act. You might find that you’re eating more or less than normal or that you’re avoiding responsibilities. You may also wish to self-medicate with alcohol or other substances. All of these things can feel like they’re helping you to manage your stress, but they’ll be making them worse.
The Impacts
It’s important to get stress under control because it can have short- and long-term impacts on your wellbeing. If it goes untreated, then it can hurt your mental health and heart problems, for instance.
What To Do
Nobody wants to live with an uncomfortable degree of stress. Fortunately, there are things you can do. If it’s possible, you should avoid the thing that’s making you feel stressed. Incorporating relaxation techniques into your lifestyle will also help — by that, we mean meditation, yoga, and activities such as listening to music/watching movies.
If your stress is more pronounced, then it’s recommended that you seek out professional help. Here at the Calgary Institute of Counselling, we have a trained team of professionals who can offer counseling services. If you’re ready to book an appointment, then give us a call on (587) 350-8843 or send an email to intake@counsellinginstitute.ca. We look forward to hearing from you!