To Prevent Problems associated with Stress it becomes important to incorporate Stress Management Techniques on a regular basis in our Lives. Here are some examples of how unreleased stress can affect our mental, physical and emotional Health.
Physical Stress Symptoms (How Our Body Reacts)
Breathlessness Impotence
Churning stomach Hyperventilating
Nausea Sense of heart pounding
Palpitations Shallow breathing
Diarrhea/Constipation Sleeping problems
Dizziness Tension headaches
Dry mouth Tingling in hands or legs
Excess perspiration Tremors
Fatigue Weight gain or loss
Headaches
Escalated colds/flu
Increased heart rate
Indigestion
Psychological Stress Symptoms (How We Think and Feel)
Abrasive Increase worrying
Anxious Indecision
Blaming others Irritability
Catastrophizing Lack of concentration
Cynical Loss of confidence
Depression Lower self-esteem
Anxious thinking Mind in a whirl
Overabundance of guilt Mood swings
Excess worries over health Negative thinking
Feeling like a failure Rumination
Fearful feelings Sensitivity to criticism
Unable to cope Snappy
Frustration Tense
Hopelessness/helplessness
Hostile
Hypercritical of self/others
Impatience
Behavioral Stress Symptoms (How We Behave)
Aggression Losing temper
Agitation Making mistakes
Avoidance behavior Nail biting
Crying Outbursts of anger
Decreased/increased sexuality Poor eye contact
Struggling to relax Inferior personal hygiene
Difficulty with relationships Mediocre time management
Eating fast Restlessness
Overeating or starving self Risk taking
Gambling Substance abuse
Hostile behavior Talking rapidly
Impatience Walking fast
Increased alcohol Withdrawal from relationships
Amplified caffeine use Pulling out of activities
Increased smoking
Work Related Stress Symptoms (How we may be affected by our work)
Absenteeism Inadequate decision making
Accidents Poor interaction with colleagues
Inability to delegate Reduced work performance
Increased sick days Resentment/anger/irritability
Inefficiency
Persistent lateness
Procrastination
If you are having these types of symptoms, you may want to consider that they are from a state of chronic stress. To help alleviate your stress symptoms, incorporate the tools of stress reduction found in Vicki Langemo’s 3 Part series on The Core of Stress Management: Tools of Empowerment. Learn about your stress in the first article and then read about Healthy Initiatives and Concrete tools.
(This symptoms list was modified by Vicki Langemo, LPC, MA, in 2015 but the essence of the material originated at http://stresscourse.tripod.com)