Modern society has a secret recipe for destroying human lives: stress – and lots of it. But stress is mostly the result of us not paying too much attention to ourselves and always striving to achieve everything without taking a break.
Stress has become the chronic condition of so many people that we have started failing to notice its presence. This, however, doesn’t prevent it from destroying our bodies and our minds.
Stress leads to adrenal fatigue, a range of physical and psychological problems, and a debilitating state which eventually makes us unable to cope with what are supposed to be normal situations in our lives.
Here are 11 signs that you are under a constant stress:
1. Frequent headaches
Stress is the number one factor behind tension headaches. These headaches are characterized by mild, moderate, or intense pain in your neck, behind your eyes, and in your head.
2. Fatigue
The increase in cortisol (the stress hormone) leads to fatigue. Which is more, mental and physical stress interrupts our body’s normal functioning and the tension levels in it make us more prone to mental and physical exhaustion.
3. Digestive problems
The digestive system suffers greatly under stress. In a state of stress, our digestion and metabolism are downregulated, leading to bloating, constipation or diarrhea.
4. Stomach issues
Because of the way stress affects our digestive system, the most common stomach issues that arise are nausea, cramps, indigestion, and aches.
5. Weight gain
Aside from the disrupted metabolism, stress is commonly associated with an increased craving for food, especially junk food. This makes the accumulation of belly fat easier.
6. Frequent colds and infections
The effect of stress on our metabolism means that we start lacking the necessary nutrients we are supposed to absorb from the food we eat. Which is more, our immune system is under attack from the stress levels, all making us more susceptible to colds and infections.
7. Chest pain or palpitations
Stress creates a harmful cycle in our body because it triggers anxiety – and anxiety further triggers stress. This combination can cause chest tightness and/or pain, as well as an increased risk of heart diseases and even heart attacks.
8. Loss of sex drive
Chronic stress has the function of hijacking the chemicals which are responsible for stimulating the sex drive, owing to the fact that the necessary materials for hormonal creation are redirected to the creation of cortisol and other stress-related hormones.
9. Memory problems
Stress is often associated with problems with memory. This is because it causes chronic changes in some brain areas and it can have a long-term negative effect on memory by impairing the ability of the hippocampus to both encode and recall memories.
10. Depression or general unhappiness
Chronic stress is often the cause of depression or general unhappiness, affecting the hormones that are responsible for a general mental well-being.
11. Loneliness and isolation
Stress is among the leading factors for social isolation and a general feeling of loneliness. People under constant stress find it harder to communicate with people and isolate themselves from the world.
How many of these symptoms are you currently struggling with? Coping stress is very important, especially in our modern age. Doing yoga, meditation, taking walks in nature, and just giving yourself a well-deserved relaxation time are very important.
Sources:
Power of Positivity
Help Guide
A professional writer with over a decade of incessant writing skills. Her topics of interest and expertise range from health, nutrition and psychology.