We cannot change something if we are not aware of it. Stress is so subjective and it can creep up on you so easily that sometimes we are not aware we are stressed. So the first thing you need to do here is to check out your stress symptoms before you take action.

What Is Stress?

Stress is your body’s way of responding to any kind of demand or threat. It’s the body’s defense mechanism kicking in – the freeze, fight, and flight response. When it works properly it can help us stay focused, alert and energetic and cope with emergencies. But when it becomes too much it can have an adverse impact on our physical and mental health.

How Stress Affects Your Mind And Body?

There are multiply symptoms to be aware of and how they affect our physical and mental health. These symptoms come in many forms and affect us cognitively, emotionally, behaviourally and physically. Most of the time we only recognize the physical symptoms but remember stress affects us all in different ways. Become aware of your stress symptoms so you can tackle your stress more effectively.

Symptoms to be aware of, this list is not inclusive:

1. Impatience, carelessness, hyperactivity, increased irritability, aggression or angry
2. Poor productivity, increased absenteeism.
3. Low energy and tiredness.
4. Avoidance, places, situations or people, you would normally enjoy.
5. Change in sleep
6. Increase in alcoholconsumption or drug misuse including prescription drugs.
7. Changes in weight.
8. Sudden crying for what you feel is over nothing.
9. Withdrawal, feeling isolated.
10. Feeling guilty and shame.
11. Low self-esteem.
12. Inability to make decisions or rushed decision-making.
13. Muddled thinking, forgetful.
14. Reduced coordination.
15. Blackouts
16. Headaches and migraines.
17. Menstrual cycle problems and decreased sex drive.
18. Reduced creativity.
19. Negative thinking
20. Fear of rejection and failure.
21. Defensive and over sensitive to what we hear.
22. Inability to switch off.

There is also an increased risk of depression and anxiety. This is almost twice as likely to happen in women than men. With an increased likelihood of them suffering more anxiety disorders, including post-traumatic stress disorder, panic disorder, or obsessive-compulsive disorder. 

Sometimes we think these symptoms can be put down to normal changes. Especially if they creep up over time. When in fact we are failing to recognize we are stressed. Stress can creep up on us as we try to balance our life thus making it easier to miss.

My Book.

In my book, The Building Blocks Of Self-Care, I provide easy and quick strategies to get you back feeling rebalanced and less stressed. The book also includes all the worksheets you need to take you step by step through the process. You can purchase it on Amazon or through my website.