What is Stress?
Perhaps the first thing to say is that, unlike pressure, stress is never good for you and never a positive thing. Stress creates unhealthy biological reactions, and prolonged stress can lead to both physical and mental health breakdown.
Stress in itself is not an illness. It is a response/reaction to excessive or prolonged pressure/challenges and this can cause mental and/or physical ill health.
Signs of stress:
These are some of the symptoms that are indicators of too much pressure
Psychological signs
• Inability to concentrate or make simple decisions
• Memory lapses
• Becoming rather vague
• Easily distracted
• Less intuitive & creative
• Worrying
• Negative thinking
• Depression & anxiety
Emotional signs
• Tearful
• Irritable
• Mood swings
• Extra sensitive to criticism
• Defensive
• Feeling out of control
• Lack of motivation
• Angry
• Frustrated
• Lack of confidence
• Lack of self-esteem
Physical signs
• Aches/pains & muscle tension/grinding teeth
• Frequent colds/infections
• Allergies/rashes/skin irritations
• Constipation/diarrhoea/ IBS
• Weight loss or gain
• Indigestion/heartburn/ulcers
• Hyperventilating/lump in the throat/pins & needles
• Dizziness/palpitations
• Panic attacks/nausea
• Physical tiredness
• Menstrual changes/loss of libido/sexual problems
• Heart problems/high blood pressure
Behavioural signs
• No time for relaxation or pleasurable activities
• Prone to accidents, forgetfulness
• Increased reliance on alcohol, smoking, caffeine,
recreational or illegal drugs
• Becoming a workaholic
• Poor time management and/or poor standards of work
• Absenteeism
• Self neglect/change in appearance
• Social withdrawal
• Relationship problems
• Insomnia or waking tired
• Reckless
• Aggressive/anger outbursts
• Nervous
• Uncharacteristically lying
For Mark O Mathew’s Top Five Stress Busting Tips,
visit http://surrey-health.co.uk/health_tips.php
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