Stress affects just about everyone. It’s important to know the role that it plays on your body, and how you can help offset some of the symptoms. Continue reading for tips to reduce stress this season.
What Causes Stress?
When your body experiences harmful situations, it triggers feelings of stress. In fact, when you feel threatened, a chemical reaction occurs in your body that enables you to act in a way that protects yourself from harm. This is known as “fight-or-flight,” and is sometimes referred to as the stress response.
During the stress response, your heart rate typically increases, your breathing becomes more rapid, your muscles tighten, and your blood pressure rises. These triggers occur as a way of protecting yourself and are your body’s natural response to stress.
Remember, stress is always relevant to the person. Some things that cause you to stress, may not cause someone else stress. In addition, some people handle stress better than others, so it’s important to not compare yourself. Not all stress is bad, in some cases, it helps push you forward to accomplish things, and prevents you from getting injured.
Our bodies are made to be able to handle healthy doses of stress, however, we are not equipped to handle long-term chronic stress.
How Does Stress Affect Your Body?
Stress can play a role in many aspects of your life including but not limited to, your emotions, behaviors, critical thinking ability, and physical health. When it comes to stress, no part of your body is immune. However, as we mentioned previously, everybody handles stress differently so symptoms can vary from person to person.
Some symptoms you may experience include:
- Emotional Symptoms
- Easily agitated and moody
- Feeling overwhelmed
- Difficulting relaxing
- Avoidance behaviors
- Physical Symptoms
- Low energy
- Headaches
- Upset stomach
- Aches, pains, and tense muscles
- Dry mouth and difficulty swallowing
- Clenched jaw and grinding teeth
- Cognitive Symptoms
- Constant worrying
- Racing thoughts
- Forgetfulness
- Poor judgment
- Lack of concentration
- Behavioral Symptoms
- Change in appetite
- Procrastinating from responsibilities
- Increased use of alcohol, drugs, or cigarettes
Tips to Reduce Stress
Luckily, there are quite a few tips you can implement into your daily routine to help control the symptoms of stress.
