Monday, August 25, 2014

Symptoms of Chronic Stress Most People Are Unaware Of

Chronic stress causing headache and digestive problems in a woman
The feelings of being overwhelmed that come with major stress are no walk in the park. Unforeseen events can cause stress and so can day-to-day life at home and in the workplace. Most people respond to stress psychologically and they become "stressed out" and tense. Everyone's body's react differently though and everyone handles stress differently as well.

Neurochemical reactions take place in the brain and lead to the nervousness you feel before giving a big presentation at work. Very similar reactions occur when you are excited just before leaving for a vacation. Any change taking place, good or bad, leads to stress reactions by your body.

Stress can be a motivator for some and sometimes stress can be helpful, but chronic stress can cause major havoc on your health. Being under a lot of stress over a long period of time can actually make you physically ill.

Some symptoms of stress a lot of people are unaware of include:

  • digestive issues
  • headaches
  • the common cold
  • trouble sleeping

Interestingly, some people may experience these physical symptoms rather than the typical psychological ones. For this reason, you may be stressed out and not even know it. If you find that you get sick with colds frequently or you have any of these other symptoms with no known cause, it is likely stress-related. Stress can also worsen many conditions like allergies, asthma and heart disease. Because of this, stress may actually be life threatening for some.

Digestive Issues

Sometimes your body will react to stress by producing extra digestive acids. This can cause stomach upset and indigestion. It may also slow down the entire digestive process causing food to stay in your stomach longer. This causes bloating, gas and cramps. Some people also experience nausea or diarrhea. Chronic stress can lead to stomach upset daily, which can be extremely inconvenient. Regular indigestion can also damage your stomach lining as well as your esophagus.

Headaches

Headaches associated with stress can range from minor tension headaches to severe migraines. Sometimes, when experiencing stress, the blood vessels in the brain will expand, which can actually be helpful in helping you deal with your workload or a deadline. Unfortunately, if the blood vessels remain expanded for too long, the swelling will begin to have an impact on the nerves and cause pain. Chronic stress is often the cause of debilitating migraines.

The Common Cold

Stress doesn't actually cause you to have cold symptoms. What happens, is that stress weakens your immune system, which makes you more likely to catch a cold or other illness. Chronic stress leads to a significant decrease in the production of lymphocytes, which fight off germs and bacteria. People under stress are twice as likely to contract a cold as those under less stress or those that deal with stress in more healthy ways.

Sleep Issues

Stress is actually the most common cause of sleep issues, from insomnia and being unable to fall asleep, to being unable to stay asleep and also waking up feeling unrested. Even if you are not recognizing that you are experiencing stress, your body does, and it may keep you up at night. Being unable to get comfortable and fall asleep, along with constant tossing and turning, is a good indicator that you are experiencing a high level of stress.

Coping with Stress

Living a completely stress-free life is impossible, and it is important to know how to handle stress. Handling stress in healthy ways not only lessens the unpleasant psychological responses, but can also help with the physiological symptoms too.

5 Tips For Dealing With Stress

  • Plan For the Next Day - You can't anticipate everything that may happen, but you should begin each day knowing what to expect.
  • Create a Routine - Any routine will create stability, which combats stress. Stick to that routine whether it is a workout or just a morning ritual.
  • Maintain a Healthy Diet - What we put into our bodies affects how they work and how they respond to stress.
  • Relaxation Techniques - Try meditation or yoga.
  • Talk - Having someone to talk to about your day is one of the easiest stress-relievers.

Robert Vena
NJ Acupuncturist
Acupuncture-in-NJ.com