Stress is a natural physiological and psychological reaction to various life circumstances. We cannot avoid stress, as it is present in everyday obligations and life. However, it depends on the individual how he will react to it or how he will manage it. Experts are of the opinion that an individual must be able to recognize the signs of stress, which warn that it is time to change the lifestyle. In this article, we reveal the typical signs that show that you are affected by stress.
1. You are constantly tired
You're tired regardless of how much sleep you get. Despite sleeping regularly and enough, you still feel tired and sleepless.
2. You have a hard time waking up in the morning
If you find it difficult to wake up in the morning, it means that the adrenal gland is not secreting enough of the hormone cortisol due to exposure to stress. Namely, this ensures the production of energy in our body in the morning and helps us to wake up more easily.
3. Bad sleep and nightmares
With the amount of sleep, the number of positive and beautiful dreams gradually increases. However, when you are nervous and tense, you wake up more often, which reduces the chance of reaching a level of sleep in which tired and stressed dreams are replaced by positive and relaxed images.
4. Desire for food
You have a strong desire for salty foods. Chronic stress leads to an imbalance in the amount of electrolytes in the body, so you need something salty every now and then.
5. You feel dizzy
If you feel dizzy when you get up from a sitting, lying or squatting position, it means that stress has caused a lack of electrolytes.
6. Irregular menstruation
If you have irregular periods and pain, it may mean that the body is secreting an excess of stress hormones, which in turn affects the imbalance of sex hormones. Painful menstrual cramps occur twice as often in women under stress than in those who are not under its influence.
7. You often catch colds
Chronic stress leads to a decline in immunity, which makes it difficult for the body to fight against various bacteria and viruses.
8. Poor coping with stress
You can't tolerate stressful situations day by day and find it difficult to deal with them. This happens because after prolonged exposure to stressful situations, the ability to tolerate and resist stress is greatly reduced.
9. You drink a lot of coffee
If you can't get through the day without large amounts of caffeine and energy drinks, it may mean that your body's energy reserves are depleted due to stress.
10. Headaches
Milder headaches or more intense migraines may occur over the weekend when stress and tension subside.
11. Sudden appearance of acne
Inflamed skin can also be a sign of a stressful lifestyle.
12. Appearance of skin diseases
Itching, atopic dermatitis or seborrhea are skin diseases that have their basis in the emotional burden of chronic stress.
13. Appearance of new allergies
If you suddenly develop allergies, it may be a sign that stress hormones stimulate the secretion of immunoglobulin E, a protein in the blood that is responsible for allergic reactions in the body.
14. Abdominal pains
Although the connection between anxiety and abdominal pain has not yet been sufficiently studied medically, many studies have shown that nervousness and other stress symptoms such as anxiety and fear also trigger abdominal cramps.
15. Sudden weight gain or loss
You haven't made any changes to your diet, but you're suddenly gaining or losing weight. Stress can cause hormonal changes that also affect body weight. It specifically affects thyroid function, and unexplained weight gain and weight loss is one of the signs that your thyroid is causing problems.
16. Heartburn problems
Heartburn problems are most often caused by food and drink. Problems with it, however, can also occur due to stress, as this stimulates excessive secretion of stomach acid.
17. Anxiety
Stress affects not only the physical state, but also the psychological state of the individual. Prolonged exposure to stress can cause panic attacks, which you usually cannot deal with without professional help.
18. Worse concentration
You used to be precise, punctual, fast and efficient, but now you just can't focus on your work and obligations? The stress took its toll.
19. Forgetfulness and loss of sharpness
If you find it difficult to concentrate, often forget, need enough time to clear your head and thoughts, all this can also be a result of stress.
20. You exaggerate your vices
Instead of a few cigarettes a day, smoke a whole pack without any problems. Due to the feeling of pressure in stressful situations, you seek solace in various harmful vices.