What are the signs of stress?

Life in the 21st century is very stressful and more people than ever are being diagnosed and treated for stress and stress-related illnesses. With one in two people experiencing stress by the time they are 40, can you spot the signs and symptoms of stress?

What is stress?

Stress is sometimes called the ‘fight or flight’ response as it is simply the body’s natural response and reaction to external demands. The pressure of those demands increases the hormones in your body to deal with the perceived pressure or threat, and once over your body returns to normal.

We all experience stress every day, and a small amount of stress can help motivate us. However, when stress is constant that’s when problems can start as the stress hormones stay in your body which leads to other symptoms.

The difference between stress and a stressor

Stressors are the potential causes of stress. For example, a pile of papers on your desk that needs filing.

Stress is your response to those stressors. For example, if you don’t like filing and keep putting it off, the pile grows along with your anxiety, guilt and stress levels.

As different people respond differently to the same stressor, so if you enjoy filing then that particular stressor will not cause you any stress.

What is the underlying cause of stress?

The fear of losing control of our life is the ultimate cause of stress.

Why? Because as humans we need and want to control our life at every turn and determine what will happen to us and where we will go. Stressors threaten that need for control, so our body responds by either preparing to fight the enemy, or run.

And there are three main causes of stress:

Everyday causes

These are recurring causes of stress that keep happening. For example, your neighbor’s barking dog or your boss who never has a good word for you. These everyday causes of stress are something you can choose to respond to and let it affect your day, or choose not to respond to it and take them in your stride.

Occasional causes

Sometimes we are faced with situations that seem bigger and more difficult to handle. For example, moving house or a change in your financial situation. These occasional causes of stress can either be overwhelming or you can find the energy and determination to face the challenge head-on and turn things around.

Life-changing causes

A life-changing stressor such as serious illness, divorce, job loss or death of a child or spouse is more like to cause stress because these changes affect us deeply.

How to recognise the signs of stress

Listening to your body is the best way to know if you’re stressed because stress causes various warning signs and symptoms. There are three types of symptoms:

• Physical: Long periods of stress means the stress hormone, adrenaline is regularly being released to help your body fight the perceived threat. This results in many physical symptoms such as; pounding heart, headaches, excessive perspiration including sweaty palms, skin breakouts, vomiting and diarrhea, and muscle tension.
• Emotional: Stress affects your emotions and causes emotional upsets such as; impatience, moodiness, negativity, nervousness, withdrawal from social life, and emotional eating, either too much or too little.
• Mental: Stress can lead to a significant decline in your cognitive abilities including; forgetfulness, lack of concentration, carelessness, poor judgment, disorganisation, and confusion

Everyone is different and stress sufferers can experience any combination of these symptoms.

It takes courage to recognise and admit that you’re stressed, but it is the first step to beating it. Learn more on how the Feel program can help you build better and lasting emotional health with real-time, evidence-based advice and support 24/7.