In today’s world everyone is stressed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The word “stress” means that a person is feeling overwhelmed or overloaded. And it often feels like too much pressure to deal with. There are 10 signs that you may be stressed-out. If you know when you know when it’s affecting you, it’s easier to deal with it effectively.
Stress is the continuing pressure that we all encounter. If you put aside the pandemic, there is always another unhealthy layer Many of us have stress in the workplace, in parenting, financial stress, and/or stress in a relationship. Chronic stress can be insidious. When we don’t recognize that we are under pressure, it’s impossible to manage.
Stress versus Triggers
A trigger is an event or some form of stimulus, that may cause an immediate stress reaction that impacts your health. And most of us experience them. Specific stress is the stimulus that we react to in our environment.
For example, a high pressure job creates constant stress. The immediate trigger may be a deadline at work. Long-term financial problems create stress. A stress event would be, getting fired or losing a relationship. It is an event that you may not be able to control. Stress events can have short or long term impacts.
A trigger can be anything from a loud noise to a TV show. Triggers can have an immediate. And sometimes we are triggered unintentionally by other people.
Sometimes a trigger can be positive. You may have a deadline at work. And you get a short burst of energy to complete the project.
Typically, the more stress that you experience, the more stressed-out you feel.
Flight or Fight Reaction
When the caveman first spotted intruders getting ready to raid his village the “fight or flight” response was formed. He had to decide quickly if he needed to run away and hide or stand and fight.
Self-preservation instincts kick in, when we are facing a threat or a dangerous situation. There is a physiological response to the catalyst of an unanticipated stressor. When faced with a physical threat or an emotional challenge, your body activates adrenaline which triggers an increase in heart rate, a heightened tension in the muscles, and hyper-alertness. This entire chemical reaction is designed to protect us from a threat.
When in this state of mind and body non-essential functions slow down. This includes your digestive and immune systems. And we can be hyper-vigilant. Common signs include breathing fast, increasing blood pressure, and tense muscles. And you may be feeling the need to act quickly.
Those “fight or flight” instincts may have served us well, thousands of years ago, but living daily with that kind of tension and physical reaction can kill you. Stress symptoms can affect your health even though you have no idea that it’s happening.
At work, at home, and in social situations, the obligations and responsibilities of life can become overwhelming. It’s a complicated world and everyone experiences pressure on the job and in their families. Sometimes the expectations of other people can be crushing. It can seem like the day-to-day routine is too much to handle. It’s not unusual to live a life with self-inflicted stress, where you set your own unrealistic expectations.
10 Signs that You May be Stressed-Out
The “fight or flight” reaction can be positive. It caused the adrenaline that allowed the caveman to escape with his life. But if you are constantly triggered it’s not good. And you feel like you need to fight or run all the time, it’s a problem.
The symptoms of stress can affect your body, your emotions, and your behavior. The ability to recognize the symptoms is the key to taking control of the situation and learning how to survive and reduce stress.
Headaches or chest pain
Exhaustion
Sleep Problems
Nervousness or anxiety
Hyper-vigilance or Impatience
Inability to focus
Depression or unhappiness
Change in Appetite (Overeating or Under-eating)
Angry outbursts
Drug or alcohol abuse
Pain may be a sign of stress. And if you are experiencing prolonged or persistent physical pain, see a doctor. Learning to recognize the signs of stress will help. Take steps to reduce your stress. When you learn to recognize what is triggering you it helps. You may also identify, more serious immediate physical and emotional problems.
