How to Recognize the Signs of Stress

Stress comes from all aspects of life and may affect you without your knowledge. Dealing with a difficult situation can cause the body to prepare for the fight-or-flight response, but if no action is taken, the body' s systems remain over active. When experiences like this are repeated again and again it can lead to a sense of the body being overloaded. This is commonly referred to as stress. Stress is not simply an emotional experience for someone but a physical one too. Stress can have a huge effect on the functions of the body so it is just as important to pay attention to what someone is doing as to what they are or are not saying.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

1. People may act to cope with stressful situations by drinking alcohol, smoking, or gambling. If these are uncharacteristic for the individual it is a big sign the person may be not be coping with feelings of stress.
2. AStress greatly affects the immune system so if the immune system efficiency is comprised there is a greater risk of developing illness such as cancer, depression, anxiety, high blood pressure, heart diseases, immune function disorders and muscles and bone problems.
3. Skin disorders like eczema and psoriasis can be greatly affected by stress. In many cases the existing conditions can worsen as a result.
4. A person may experience mood swings including impatience, irritability and feeling sorrowful, especially if the changes are erratic.
5. Poor quality of sleep stemming from either difficulty getting off to sleep or waking early in the morning and not being able to get back to sleep.
6. Loss of enthusiasm for anything, including things which you once had a vested interest in and enjoyed.
7. A change in appetite and weight as a result of not eating as much or comfort eating.
8. Being unable to concentrate and having problems with your memory.
9. A loss of sex drive or interest in intimacy has been widely reported from sufferers of stress also.

Tips & Warnings

• If you feel you may be suffering from stress, it's always a good idea to start talking to people you trust about it. There are many approaches to dealing with stress, so the earlier you recognize the symptoms the faster you can start to feeling more in control again.