High blood pressure, headaches, fatigue are signs of stress, beware of these 10 symptoms
Physical signs of stress: Common physical reactions to stress include an elevated heart rate, increased breathing, and heightened blood pressure. Here are 10 physical signs of stress and a reminder from your body to seek help.
Stress is a normal bodily reaction that occurs in response to demanding or difficult circumstances. Hormones are released to either confront or flee the circumstance, causing the body to respond in this way. Elevated blood pressure, faster breathing, and an elevated heart rate are common physiologic responses to stress. Though physical symptoms are sometimes associated with stress, not all stress is bad.
Stress can be helpful when it’s in moderation since it can help us finish tasks and stay safe. But each person experiences stress in a different way, so what is unpleasant for one person may not be for another. Ten bodily symptoms of stress are listed by Dr. Mrinalini Rastogi of BHMS Global Hospital in Lucknow. These signals serve as a reminder to exercise caution and get help when needed.
Headaches: which are characterized by a dull, agonizing pain in the forehead, back of the head, and neck, are frequently brought on by stress. Prolonged stress can make these headaches more frequent or intense, which can interfere with your ability to focus and work efficiently all day.
Muscle tension: Stress can cause tension in the muscles, especially in the shoulders, back, and neck, which can cause pain or discomfort. Long-term stress can cause chronic discomfort or stiffness, which can impair your posture and limit your range of motion. This physical symptom can be lessened by using relaxation techniques and managing stress.
Chest pain: Stress can result in tightness or pain in the chest since it raises High blood pressure and heart rate. Even while this pain is usually benign, it can resemble cardiac difficulties, so it’s important to distinguish between discomfort brought on by stress and possible cardiac problems, particularly if it’s accompanied by other alarming symptoms.
Fatigue: Prolonged stress might cause weariness that doesn’t go away even after resting. Both physical and mental pressure can cause this tiredness, which interferes with daily tasks and lowers vitality levels. Stress-related fatigue can impair motivation, focus, and emotional health, thus addressing stressors is crucial.
Digestive problems: Stress affects digestion and can cause symptoms such as constipation, diarrhea, or nausea. Stress hormones have the ability to interfere with typical digestive processes, leading to pain and irregular bowel movements. Stress management strategies and dietary modifications may be necessary for persistent digestive problems associated with stress.
Sweating: Sweating excessively is a frequent stress reaction, especially in the feet, hands, or underarms. This happens when the body starts to increase sweating in an attempt to cool down when the “fight or flight” reaction kicks in. Excessive sweating is generally innocuous, but if it persists, it can be uncomfortable and suggest a problem with anxiety.
Jaw clenching/teeth grinding: Stress can cause unconscious jaw clenching or teeth grinding, which frequently happens while you’re sleeping. Over time, this may result in headaches, jaw pain, and even tooth damage. Using mouthguards at night and controlling your stress can help lessen the symptoms.
Shortness of breath: Breathing too quickly or shallowly due to stress can result in dyspnea. This occurs as the body gets ready for a “fight or flight” response, but if it lasts too long, it can cause vertigo or panic. Using relaxation and deep breathing exercises can help control this problem.
Sleep disturbances: Stress frequently throws off sleep cycles, leading to excessive or insomniac sleeping. Anxiety, racing thoughts, or physical pain from stress can cause trouble falling or staying asleep, which can result in weariness and a reduction in mental attentiveness. Improving stress reduction and sleep hygiene can enhance the quality of your sleep.
Frequent illnesses: Prolonged stress impairs immunity, increasing vulnerability to infections, colds, and other ailments. Extended periods of stress cause the body to exhaust its defenses against infections, which makes illnesses more common or severe. Remaining stress-free is crucial to immune system function.
