Are You Stressed?
Stress is part of life. For many people, stress can help get things done, put a little pressure on the system, help us rise to the occasion but prolonged stress can also be incredibly damaging to our mental, physical and emotional health so it must be watched and monitored correctly. When things fall out of balance, it becomes necessary to right the world and find balance on that beam. Especially for people in recovery who need to be vigilant about their health and wellness.
Unchecked and prolonged stress on a person can lead to serious, long-term health issues from insomnia to weight issues to headaches to heart disease.
We can feel stress from pretty much anything – the pressure to get good grades in school, performance at work in a sometimes competitive or “high-paced” environment. Relationships and family can cause stress for sure, as can life events. Hell, when my dog misses a meal, I feel stressed – what’s wrong with him? Why can’t he tell me how to fix it? Uncertainty causes stress. There’s ton’s of uncertainty in the world right now.
Here’s some information I compiled so we can look at ourselves to see if stress might be too much a part of our lives.
The most recognized physical manifestations of stress are:
1. Low energy
2. Headaches
3. Upset stomach, including diarrhea, constipation, and nausea
4. Aches, pains, and tense muscles
5. Chest pain and rapid heartbeat
6. Insomnia
7. Frequent colds and infections
8. Loss of sexual desire and or ability
The most recognized symptoms of behavioral stress are:
1. Depression
2. Anxiety, agitation
3. Moodiness, irritability or anger
4. Feeling overwhelmed
5. Loneliness and isolation
Now, a lot of these symptoms can arise for a variety of reasons so try and apply common sense when being self-reflective. If stress isn’t a factor and you have symptoms, you’re probably sick so see a doctor. If you feel super anxious and unhappy and have physical symptoms, then pay attention to these symptoms and think about whether your life may be causing more stress than is right for you.
Later in the week, we’ll look at practical solutions for stress so consider this part one – awareness.
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