How your body reacts to stress and the amount of stress you need to feel for physical symptoms to appear, really does vary from one person to another. Different people respond differently to the same situation. For example, just because your colleague seems to be flying with the project you are both working on, doesn’t mean that it isn’t stressful to you. And just because you are great at shopping a sale rack, doesn’t mean that it isn’t stressful for a family member.
So how does stress manifest itself? Again this really does vary from person to person. The human body is a complex little old thing, made up of several systems that are all connected to each other in some way. This means that stress may be experienced in some unexpected ways.
1) Tension headaches
These are a common sign of stress and are felt in the upper back, neck, base of the head, around or above the ears, hinge of the jaw and above the eyes.
2) Sleep disturbance and fatigue
Stress activates our nervous system, which is responsible for making us wakeful. A stimulated nervous system can result in insomnia (lack of sleep) and/or sleep that is not refreshing.
3) Frequent Infections
Cortisol is a stress hormone, it can contribute to suppressing the immune system. If you keep getting minor illnesses such as coughs and colds, it may be a reflection of stress.
4) Asthma attacks or skin rash
When the immune system is suppressed, we can become more sensitive to allergens such as dust or pollution in the air. Stress also makes us more vulnerable to inflammation, which can lead to skin rashes and eczema.
5) Pseudo-neurological symptoms
Stress-related hyperventilation is when we exhale too much carbon dioxide. This can cause symptoms that could easily be confused with problems with the nervous system. Common examples are dizziness, disorientation, blurred, clouded, or tunnel vision, flashing lights, memory loss and fainting. Taking deeper breaths is not always the answer as this further reduces the carbon dioxide. If you’re stressed try to breathe slowly and deeply but if you are panicking take slow shallow breaths.
6) Chest Pain
Chest pain may indicate a heart problem and shouldn’t be ignored - but it could also be caused by stress-related muscle tension or anxiety or panic.
7) Abdominal Pain
Acute stress stimulates the gut to contract, which can cause diarrhoea and cramps
In the short term you might consider the following to help reduce your symptoms, particularly if you are prone to tension headaches:
· Rest, in a dark, quiet place
· Apply an ice/heat pack (this is down to your personal preference) on the source of the pain
· Take a warm shower
· Have a massage treatment or Reflexology
· Regulate your breathing
In the long-term exercise, regular sleep and reducing your stress levels can help prevent your symptoms.
If it sounds like you could be stressed, help is at hand – next time, I will be focussing on how to find time for yourself, which is one of the many ways to help reduce your stress levels at home. If you feel like you are struggling to cope with your stress and need to talk to someone call The Samaritans on 116 123, or visit Mind.org.uk for some useful self-help articles.
See you next time
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