Unfortunately, chronic stress is number 1 health problem in America, according to Power of Positivity. Stress occurs as an immediate reaction to psychological and physical threats over which we have no control. According to the medical community, stress has reached epidemic proportions and it is thought by many to be the epidemic of the 21st century.
According to surveys, Americans consider stress, especially the work-related one, to be a major obstacle to their quality of life and Americans, but also Australians and Chinese, have reported experiencing the highest level of work-related type of stress. What’s more, around half of workers in the U.S. admit to needing help in learning how best to manage stress.
Why Is Stress on the Rise?
According to Power of Positivity, one of the main reasons why stress has become so common is our ignorance and our acceptance of it. Although we cannot avert all stress, we need to learn how to respond to it. In order to address it properly, we need to recognize its major signs first.
Below, check out the main ten symptoms that you are excessively stressed and that you need to learn some stress management techniques.
10 Main Signs of Being Overly Stress
- Frequent conflicts with your partner
Of course, no relationship can be perfect, however, constant arguing, followed by criticizing and blaming one another for trivial things could be a symptom of the partners being too stressed.
- Poor decision making
Too much stress can decrease your capacity to make decisions, especially if these decisions are of great importance for you. What’s more, stress is known to have a negative influence on your perception of risk and reward.
- Chronic tiredness
Too much stress overdrives the brain’s neural activity and due to the fight-or-flight response, your heart and respiratory rates will elevate. When the brain remains in this state for a prolonged period of time, it will decrease the energy levels and you will feel tired and exhausted.
- Appetite changes
Did you know that almost 2/3 of the chronically-stressed individuals tend to overeat whereas the rest of them tend to avoid eating at all? Unbalanced appetite could be an indicator of being too exposed to stress.
- Changes in sleep
Insomnia is a common issue among people who are chronically stressed. Namely, because of the elevated stress hormones, one is unable to fall asleep easily or to stay asleep.
- Poor memory and focus
If you do not learn how to manage stress, you will be more prone to experiencing reduction in your concentration and memory.
- Being impatient
Too much stress will activate the oldest part of the human brain, i.e. the amygdale, and this will stimulate the fight or flight response and the brain will perceive stress as fear. So, one may feel more impatient and impulsive during this state.
- Low self-confidence
Believe it or not, individuals who are chronically stressed report feeling low self-esteem, which is considered to be a result of a connection between stress hormones and depression-related hormones.
- Overindulging in alcohol, nicotine, or other substances
Often times, thinking that they can fight off stress; people overindulge in drinking, smoking, or drugs. However, long-term usage of these substances can lead to addiction and other serious health issues.
- Social withdrawal
Feeling the need to isolate yourself from others may be due to stress, chemical imbalance, as well as depression and anxiousness.
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