Identified as the evil of the 21st century, stress can manifest itself one or more times in the same day and put our minds to the test. While stress can be viewed as a defense against a potential danger, it can be harmful when it arises chronically. Physiological and psychological symptoms may appear and signal that the body is on alert. To protect your health, knowing the signs of excess stress can be beneficial.
These days, we are constantly faced with stressful situations. In professional, social or personal life, responsibilities, conflicts and projects can lead to an overflow of responsibilities which ultimately lead to repetitive tensions or worries. According to a recent survey 19% of employees are stressed on a daily basis. If anxiety is often experienced in silence, it seems to have an impact on the body.
Symptoms your body warning you that you are too stressed:
1. Headache
Headaches can disrupt the quality of life of those who experience them. Sometimes people under stress can experience severe migraines without understanding their origin. In fact, the researchers found that the headache could be caused by too much stress.
2. Chronic pain
Stress causes excessive cortisol secretion in the brain. This hormone can create a number of inconveniences in the body. According to scientific experience, a high cortisol level can lead to chronic pain in one or more parts of the body.
3. Repeated pathologies
Stress can have a huge impact on an individual's immune system. Indeed, the researchers indicate that anxiety can cause the immune system to be deregulated, making the body vulnerable to infection and disease.
4. Persistent fatigue
Emotional overload often ends up in psychological exhaustion. According to scientific experience, unexplained fatigue may be due to a combination of stress. It would be what is called "reactionary" fatigue, linked to various factors including exhaustion at work, difficulties in reconciling family and professional life, or moments of rest disturbed by noise.
5. Acne pimples
Anxiety often affects your beauty capital. Indeed, if excess sebum is generally responsible for acne pimples on the skin, it could also be that people prone to high intensity stress suffer the same effects without the sebum being implicated. According to a study, the stress felt plays an important role in the aggravation of acne.
6. A change in libido
When a person is faced with chronic stress, the desire felt towards his partner may suffer. According to a study, women subject to a high level of stress suffer from hormonal and psychological disturbances which can damage their libido. Conclusions validated by experts who add that this “state of stress at origin of the drop in libido is almost never perceived by women” who would find it difficult to make the link between a hectic lifestyle and “sensual difficulties”.
7. Food cravings and being overweight
Eat to soothe your emotions. A strategy that hits the target with many people overwhelmed by stress. Indeed, science shows a positive correlation between stress and compulsive eating. According to Dr. Jean-Philippe Zermati, nutritionist, the goal would be to find comfort that we lack daily in the face of stressful situations. If prolonged, the expert believes that this behavior may, in the long term, lead to eating disorders.
8. Digestive problems
We tend to say that the gut is our second brain. It is clear that in times of stress, our intestinal transit can become slower, thus causing digestive disorders. Researchers have shown that children who are exposed to stressful situations are more likely to experience constipation.
9. Depression
Anxiety and stress can dramatically alter a person's daily life. Chronic stress increases the risk of developing depression over the long term, according to one study. It is therefore essential to use relaxation methods to protect one's mental health.