Stress is the body’s response to the feeling of being threatened or under pressure. It is very common, can be motivating in helping us achieve things in our daily lives, and can help us meet the demands of home, work and family life.
But too much stress can affect our mood, our bodies and our relationships – especially if we feel like we have no control over it. It can make us anxious and irritable, and affect our self-esteem.
Experiencing a lot of stress over a long period of time can also lead to a feeling of physical, mental and emotional exhaustion, also known as burnout.
Stress can manifest itself in a wide variety of symptoms, but there are some basic symptoms. These symptoms can be broadly divided into four different types:
1. Physically: Fatigue, headache, migraine, insomnia, muscle pain/stiffness (especially neck, shoulders and lower back), palpitations, chest pain, loss of libido, irritable bowel syndrome, abdominal cramps, nausea, tremors, cold extremities, flushing or sweating and frequent colds .
2. Spiritually: Decreased concentration and memory, indecision, thoughts racing or going blank, confusion, no sense of humor.
3. Emotional: Anxiety, nervousness, depression, anger, frustration, worry, anxiety, irritability, impatience, short temper.
4. Behavioral: pacing, fidgeting, nervous habits, increased eating, loss of appetite, increased dependence on props – smoking, drinking, drug use; crying, yelling, cursing, blaming, and even throwing or hitting things.
However, just because you are experiencing any of the above symptoms does not necessarily mean that you are stressed. Some level of pressure is a natural part of everyday life. The danger comes when things get out of hand and this pressure turns into chronic stress – something that can damage both our physical and mental well-being.
If you experience stress at home, your work is likely to suffer, while if you experience stress at work, it will affect your family life. This creates a dangerous cycle of depression from which it is almost impossible to escape.
Source: NHS