A majority of UK adults say they’ve dealt with stress so intense that it’s left them feeling completely overwhelmed.
And chronic stress – worries and/or pressures that keep you in a state of high alert for long, continuous periods of time – has been linked to worse health outcomes, like sleep issues and higher blood pressure.
Sometimes, though, chronic stress lasts so long that it can be hard to tell it apart from “regular life”.
Thankfully, Dr Bijal Chheda, a consultant psychologist and founder of Nos Curare, has shared seven signs your body might give to suggest you’re dealing with the ongoing issue.
“Stress is a well-recognised trigger for tension-type headaches because it can cause the muscles around the scalp and neck to remain tense,” the psychologist said.
“Over time, the nervous system may become more sensitive to these pain signals, meaning headaches that were once occasional begin occurring more regularly.”
If you’re experiencing this symptom, keep a diary detailing when the headaches happen, how long they last, and what, if anything, helps. If the problem keeps coming back or don’t improve, speak to your GP.
Yep – stress really can mess up your stomach. For instance, the NHS said, it can slow digestion down.
“During periods of prolonged stress, communication between the brain and gut can become disrupted, affecting how the gut functions,” Dr Chheda added.
“The bowel muscles may contract irregularly, triggering cramps and leaving the stomach feeling unsettled.”
If this happens, she advised that diaphragmatic breathing may help – though again, see your doctor if the symptom doesn’t let up.
When we’re chronically stressed, “the body may remain slightly prepared for action, maintaining a low level of muscle contraction,” the expert explained.
“Over time, this can make it difficult for certain muscles to fully relax, leaving areas such as the shoulders or neck feeling tight.”
Sounds like you? Progressive muscle relaxation can help.
I know, I know: supposedly, everyone’s tired. But that doesn’t mean you have to accept constant low-level exhaustion, or that it’s normal.
Source: Read the original article on www.huffingtonpost.co.uk
