Physical Symptoms of Stress

If you think stress only affects you mentally, read this article on physical symptoms of stress, and get your facts clear!

As perceived by many, stress is mental pressure that affects your mental health only! Think again! Stress is a gift of modern lifestyle, and if you are the part of the rat race that exists, you would have definitely been through the physical symptoms of stress, but just not realized as to what they are! The reason why stress is so common in today's lifestyle is because everyone seems to be running to achieve more and more. We want to earn more, work more, explore more, get more…and all this has resulted in lesser health! I remember a quote by Margaret Fuller, "Men for the sake of getting a living forget to live." So before we get on with the physical symptoms of stress in men and women, let us first have a look at the causes. It would also be a good idea to read about stress related symptoms and anxiety stress symptoms to get a better picture.

Causes of Stress

As quoted by Harry Emerson Fosdick, "No one can get inner peace by pouncing on it." This is exactly what we all are doing today! Working 2-3 jobs a day and accumulating job stress, improper sleep, working at home, meeting family needs…there is too much to do and so little time! This is the most important cause of stress and anxiety! Let us have a look at what causes stress in today's time.

Work Overload

Time Pressures

Financial Problems

Unrealistic Targets

Family Problems

Thinking too much

Negative Attitude

Lack of Sleep

Being too Busy

Lack of Physical Activities

From the above mentioned list of the main causes of stress, you can figure out that all these causes are accepted as a part of the 'modern lifestyle'! This is the reason why I call stress as the 'gift of modern lifestyle'! This was not the case earlier! There was more job safety, more physical activity, a healthier environment, extended families that shared each others problems etc. More independence gives you more responsibility and the pressure to handle them all with no time for 'yourself' leads to stress and anxiety! It is rightly said by Dr Richard Lazarus, "Stress resides neither in the situation nor in the person; it depends on a transaction between the two."

Physical Symptoms and Signs of Stress

"Sometimes a headache is all in your head. Relax." ~ Hartman Jule

Since we have discussed about the causes of stress, let us now have a look at the physical symptoms of stress in women and men of today which will help you identify the 'need to relax' as mentioned in the above quote. Have a look!

Constant headaches

Random aches and pains

Palpitations

Loss of sexual desire

Increased hair loss

Irregular menstruation

Spasms and muscle cramps

Indigestion

Premature ejaculation

Dizziness

Nausea

Constipation

Diarrhea

Cold and flu

Erectile dysfunction

Stomach cramps

Excessive sweating

Appetite loss

Increase in appetite

Back pain

Neck pain

Chest pain

Migraine

Rheumatoid arthritis

Cold toes and fingers

Heartburn

Asthma attacks

Increase in eczema

Nervous twitches or tapping and shaking

Insomnia

Sleep apnea

These are some of the physical symptoms of stress and anxiety. These physical signs of stress indicate that stress not only affects you mentally but the effects of stress on health are also very threatening! Therefore, one needs to take a lot of care when it comes to how to handle stress and anxiety in your day to day life! In order to do that, you can go through the stress free living tips to adapt yourself with the pressure and demands that you deal with. Stress is nothing but our body's way to cope up with the external pressures. Therefore, apart from dealing with your own stress, you also need to identify the signs of stress in children and help them in coping with the same. To conclude, all I would like to say is that, health is more valuable than wealth. As quoted by Will Rogers in his Autobiography, 1949, "Half our life is spent trying to find something to do with the time we have rushed through life trying to save." So make sure you don't rush through life, but live it! Take care. :)