Stress is a normal reaction to life experiences and events. But sometimes, the level of stress can become too much to handle. If not managed effectively, stress can lead to mental health problems such as anxiety and depression and even physical illnesses.
Early detection and implementation of stress management techniques are crucial to avoiding long-term health complications. So, it is vital to be aware of the signs of stress so you can take steps to manage it.
Common Signs of Stress
Stress causes a physical reaction in the body, including elevated cortisol levels, increased blood pressure and heart rate, and muscle tension.
This can lead to several common signs of stress, including:
Sleep Problems
Cortisol plays a role in the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis, which helps regulate your circadian rhythm. When stressed, you may experience difficulty falling or staying asleep, which can leave you feeling fatigued and unable to concentrate during the day.
Rapid Heart Rate and Chest Pain
When the body is under stress, it releases hormones that can increase your heart rate and cause chest pain. You may also be more prone to high blood pressure or heart disease in the future. If you notice an abnormal heart rate, arrhythmia, or palpitations, visit your doctor.
Muscle Aches and Pains
Long-term stress can lead to cortisol dysfunction and systemic inflammation, leading to muscle aches and pains, particularly in the back, neck, and shoulders.
Weight Fluctuations
Stress can affect your appetite, causing you to either overeat or lose your appetite. This can lead to changes in weight that may not be good for your health.
Rashes
Stress can also affect your skin, causing rashes and other skin conditions—excess cortisol results in skin inflammation, leading to hives or urticaria.
Digestive Issues
When you’re stressed, your body enters flight or flight mode, disrupting the normal functioning of your digestive system. This can lead to diarrhea, constipation, cramps, and nausea. These symptoms can be painful and disruptive to your daily life.
How to Manage Stress?
There are many ways to manage stress, and what works for one person may not work for another. However, some general tips can help you reduce signs of stress and maintain your mental health.
Taking breaks during the day to relax and rejuvenate, exercising regularly, and getting enough sleep are all critical for managing stress. It can also be helpful to identify healthy coping mechanisms, such as journaling or spending time in nature.
At True Health Medical Practice, we offer several services that can help to manage stress, including:
Mental Health Counsellors and Psychologists
Mental health counsellors and psychologists can help you identify and address the causes of your stress, develop strategies for dealing with stressful situations and help you manage stress in a healthy way.
Family and Marriage Counselors
Family and marriage counsellors are available at our practice to provide support and guidance if you are experiencing relationship or family-related stress.
Support Your Mental Health with True Health Medical Practice
True Health Medical Practice is committed to providing comprehensive and compassionate care for all patients. We offer various services to support mental health, including therapy and medication management. Our providers collaborate with you to create a treatment plan that meets your unique needs.
We understand that seeking help for mental health can be difficult, but we are here to support you on your journey to wellness. If you or someone you know is struggling, please get in touch with us by calling on (02) 9358 5221 today.
References
Sleep deprivation and stress: a reciprocal relationship
https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsfs.2019.0092
Stress Can Increase Your Risk for Heart Disease
https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?ContentTypeID=1&ContentID=2171
Chronic Stress, Cortisol Dysfunction, and Pain: A Psychoneuroendocrine Rationale for Stress Management in Pain Rehabilitation
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4263906/