There are numerous symptoms of stress. Stress comes in three levels; mild, moderate and severe. Once a persons stress level reaches severe the next step is Anxiety. Which is a disorder that you really want to avoid if at all possible. You can get a grip on your stress in any of the three phases, with a little work and patience. Your stress most likely didn’t show up overnight, it is the result of putting too much pressure or allowing others to put to much pressure on you over a period of time. Each person has a different level of stress they can comfortable handle, so your stress may be the result of a few days of pressure or 10 years of pressure.
You may be feeling a little off if this is your first run in with stress, so hopefully if you recognize some of the symptoms it will put your mind to ease that what you are experiencing are classic symptoms of stress. Then you can take the steps to reduce or eliminate it. The important thing is to be able to recognize the symptoms of stress and take care of them before they escalate to a higher level or turn into an Anxiety disorder.
The top 10 symptoms of stress are listed below.
1. Irritable – for no apparent reason
2. Sad or feeling blue
3. Lack of desire to do everyday activities – (like working, cooking)
4. Restless and or unable to concentrate on simple everyday issues
5. Easily angered or upset (crying spells)
6. Lack of energy
7. Irrational thoughts
8. Feel like all the responsibilities of work or home or both are all yours to deal with.
9. Not enough hours in the day
10. Physical symptoms if experiencing moderate to severe stress include (headaches, muscle aches, chest pain, insomnia, sleeping to much, upset stomach and general feeling of nervousness or illness.)
All of the above are symptoms of stress and if you do not find time to relax or reduce your stress levels the intensity of the symptoms can and most likely will increase. It may seem like a huge chore to get your stress under control, and for some people it may be. Just take it a day at a time. Try relieving your stress by making time to do something you enjoy for at least 30 minutes each day. If you’re a people pleaser, spend five minutes a day in front of a mirror learning to say one of the first words you learned as a small child, “NO!”
These simple suggestions can go along way in reducing not only the symptoms of stress, but the stress its self.