Stress affects people in different ways but it seems that as a nation we are getting more stressed and the signs are becoming more common.
The American Psychological Association, which carries out a survey on stress every year, concluded in 2018 that Americans are more stressed than ever.
In the U.S. three out of every four people have reported a symptom of stress.
Perhaps more worrying is the stress levels among our young people. For those aged between 15 and 21 a staggering 90 percent of respondents had stress symptoms.
It may be that some of us don’t recognize the signs and for those that don’t or are unsure here are the top 8 physical signs that you might be stressed.
Hives
In the case of excessive stress your body starts releasing the chemical histamine to fight off what your body thinks is sickness.
If you continue to feel stressed then you can develop an allergic reaction which can result in hives.
These itchy red bumps can be such a pain but a cool damp towel meay ease the affected area. If that doesn’t work take an antihistamine.
Weight fluctuation
Stress causes our body to produce cortisol or the “stress hormone” which increases our appetite and our cravings for junk food.
But a recent study by Ohio State shows that stress may also lead to our bodies burning fewer calories.
Advice from the experts is to snack on nuts as the protein will help if you’re under-eating and the fiber will help if your bingeing.
Persistent headaches
If your your head is constantly pounding, you might be too stressed. Stress releases chemicals that can cause changes to nerves and blood vessels in the brain, which can cause a headache.
If you’re prone to migraines stress can make them worse.
You can take ibuprofen or if you don’t want to take drugs then try dabbing lavender or peppermint oil on your temples when a headache starts.
Stomach issues
We all know that stress can be hard on the stomach but now it’s thought to cause a whole host of digestive issues including irritable bowel syndrome, indigestion, and heartburn.
Stress can also cause the body to produce more digestive acid which can lead to heartburn.
Constant cold
Stress affects the immune system by making it less effective in the fight against bugs.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh infected volunteers with a cold virus; those who reported in a survey that they were coping with many stresses were twice as likely to get sick as those with fewer problems, Parents.com reported.
Experts say take zinc supplements can reduce the length of a cold. Meditation, regular exercise, and plenty of sleep can also help boost your immune system.
Annoying acne
While stress isn’t the main cause of acne it does trigger break outs.
When you’re stressed, your body pumps out more hormones, like cortisol, which causes skin glands to produce more oil. This excess oil can get trapped inside hair follicles, along with dirt and dead skin cells, producing pimples, according to Healthline.com.
Chest pain and rapid heat beat
We are all familiar with the saying ‘my heart skipped a beat’ to describe something making us nervous or excited, but an irregualr heartbeat is more common than you think.
Stress can be one of the causes of an irregular heartbeat along with caffeine and alcohol.
Stress hormones can affect the same areas of the brain that regulate cardiovascular functions such as heart rate and blood pressure.
Consider taking up meditation, yoga and relaxation exercises which may help you to cope better with stress.
Losing your hair
While it’s perfectly normal to lose a few strands of hair as old hair follices are replaced by new ones, stress can interfere with this healthy cycle.
Significant stress pushes a large number of hair follicles into what’s called a resting phase, and then a few months later those hairs fall out, according to MayoClinic.org.
Stress can also cause the body’s immune system to attack your hair follicles, resulting in hair loss.
Please share this story with your friends and family to encourage those stressed people in your life to take up some healthy habits.
We all deserve to be happy people.
