Knowing if you are stressed is sometimes obvious
Other times it is less clear as stress can build without you realising. The truth is that stress has a sneaky way of building up in you until it becomes a serious problem.
Here are 18 physical and emotional signs that you may be suffering from stress and not realising it:
- Weight gain around the waist
- Severe cramps / missed periods
- Sore jaw
- Forgetfulness
- Stomach aches
- Constipation
- Weird dreams all the time
- Unable to concentrate
- Can’t fall asleep or sleeping far too much
- Gum problems or sore mouth
- You are finding less enjoyment in the things you find fun
- Easy tasks are starting to feel impossible
- Feeling overwhelmed in groups or social situations
- Struggling to regulate caffeine, alcohol or tobacco
- Your sex drive has taken a dip
- You can’t kick a cold
- You are finding excess hair in your drain or brush
- You are finding new problems in an otherwise happy relationship
Do any of the above resonate with you? At one point or another, most people deal with feelings of stress. In fact, one study found that 33% of adults reported experiencing high levels of perceived stress.
So, what next?
Whatever you choose to do, if you are stressed, don’t put off taking action. With the right support and skills things can and do change for the better.
Look around our blog for more advice and see how we take a skills based approach to building resilience and wellbeing. This blog is a good example, offering you 4 skills you can use immediately. Resilience coaching is also available if you’ve prefer to work with one of our coaches and our stress less online training course has helped lots of people.
Talk to a doctor if:
- you are struggling to cope with stress
- things you are trying yourself are not helping
- you would prefer to get a referral to other services from a GP. A doctor can help you determine whether what you’re experiencing is stress or an anxiety disorder. It’s important to seek help for these symptoms since they can cause significant distress and affect your life and your relationships at home, in school, at work, and in other important areas. A doctor can also refer you to a mental health expert if need be and provide you with additional resources and tools.
