Did you know that stress can cause emotional, behavioral and even physical symptoms that affect an individual’s well-being?
When it does get so severe, it can lead to developing an illness. The numbers are so staggering, that it’s been estimated that close to 87% of doctor visits are somehow related to stress symptoms or diseases linked to stress.
Just like anything else, your stress is treatable and can be managed and reduced dramatically. Stress management experts have found ways to relieve those ailments of stress through proven relaxation techniques and of course lifestyle changes.
Identifying the Symptoms of Stress:
Although your best option for identifying stress-related symptoms is talking to your doctor, there are things to look out for yourself that can be a treated before it becomes chronic or severe. Remember these symptoms can be caused by a number of health conditions and not always contributed to just stress. But like I said, it’s always wise to seek advice and treatment from your doctor.
Physical symptoms may include:
- Dry mouth
- Diarrhea or Vomiting
- Fatigue
- Insomnia
- Migraine headaches
- Heart issues
- Heartburn
- Hyperventilation
- Indigestion
- Irregular menstrual cycles
- Appetite changes
- Sex issues
- Muscle pains
- Weight management issues
Emotional symptoms may include:
- Focus issues or Confusion
- Anxiety
- Crying
- Depression
- Having low self-esteem
- Hostility and combativeness towards others
- Impatience or irritability
- Suspiciousness
- Constantly worrying
Behavioral symptoms may include:
- Alcohol, drug use, and smoking
- Combative behavior
- Focusing on problems, instead of fixing them
- Inability to concentrate
- Indecisiveness
- Lack of motivation
- Low productivity
- Overeating
- Poor judgment
- Tapping feet or fingers
- Withdrawal
10 Simple Ways to Manage Stress:
After reading through the list above and you realize that maybe stress is impacting your life, here are 10 steps of stress management techniques you can try. Although its best if you manage your stress with a therapist, you can also do this on your own, or with the help of your family.
- Managing and maintaining a healthy body weight.
- Stop smoking, stop doing illicit drugs and or abusing alcohol use.
- Eating three or more small, nutritious, low-fat meals each day.
- Putting more time into relationships with your family and close friends.
- Allow yourself to be alone at times, solitude is good for you sometimes.
- Don’t be afraid to say, “no”, to things that are not a priority in your life. Focus on what makes you happy and what’s for the betterment of yourself.
- Get more social in your life, play sports or other social events.
- Try to get at least 8 hours of sleep each night.
- Ask for help from your family and friends, if life responsibilities are overwhelming at times. Everyone needs help here and there. Don’t be ashamed to ask for it.
- Avoid conflicts if and when you can.
If you can identify with some or most of these symptoms, I would advise to try out some of the techniques to see if it will give you some relief in your life. If you feel like you need more attention, or help to try to figure out if you need professional help, there are behavioral health facilities that can help you get your life back on track. Mental health is a real problem here in the United States, and reaching out to someone is the first step in achieving a happy life. 🙂