Stress is a person’s way of responding to events that are brought by personal issues at home or at the workplace, major life changes, or expectations in life that disrupts the balance of one’s entire well-being. When you experience any issues that are usually negative in nature, stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline are released in the body.
Not all kinds of stress are bad since there are types that can motivate you to do better. However, stress is often associated with negative implications because of the many frustrations and demands each person has to take. Nonetheless, stress can be managed and resolved at the earliest opportunity. In order to do so, here are 5 warning signs that will tell you to need to take a break once in a while.
1. Migraine
One sure sign that will tell you you’re stressed is when you start experiencing migraines. Since stress can pave the way to abnormal sleeping habits making it difficult for you to sleep at night.
Migraine is most likely to happen if you are unable to get the right amount of rest needed by the body every day.
2. Abdominal Pain
Recent studies show that people who experience stress suffer from abdominal pains compared to those who are more relaxed.
Although there is no exact explanation to determine the reason behind this, studies suggest that since the brain and the intestines share the same nerve pathway, the intestines will be able to pick up the same message when the mind starts reacting to stress which results to upset in the stomach.
3. Change in Eating Pattern
It’s either you will eat more or eat less. Regardless of the volume of food you put inside your body, a sudden change in eating habits can tell that you are stressed. For most women, resorting to chocolates can also be a signal that stress hormones are dominating your body.
A study conducted by the University of Pennsylvania researchers says that chocolate cravings among women are brought by stress, not hormones.
4. Change in Emotional State
This can vary from being moody or short-tempered or being irritable most of the time. Due to a lack of sleep and migraine, you also have the tendency to feel tired and worn out or experience depression.
There are even habits such as nail-biting or twitching which can be a manifestation of stress.
5. Dependence
When you are stressed, you tend to look for an outlet to make you feel more relaxed.
Oftentimes, outlet means depending too much on “comfort food,” cigarettes, alcohol, or drugs which can result in a more complicated problem such as addiction.
Although stress may vary between short term and long term, these warning signs should not be treated lightly. As much as possible, give yourself time to relax by treating yourself once in a while or by exercising. Exercise releases endorphins which can help alter your mood into a positive state.