How To Tell If Your Stressed

Symptoms Of Uncontrolled Stress

Like in any medical condition, the starting point towards the resolution of the problem that is stress is symptom recognition. Stress is your bodys way of protecting you it is a normal physiological response to any threatening event that comes your way. But beyond a certain point, stress stops being helpful and starts causing harm to your health and life in general. Below are some of the common warning signs and symptoms of too much or uncontrolled stress. If you seem to be experiencing many of the symptoms listed, then it likely indicates that you are not coping with the stress in your life effectively.

Cognitive Symptoms.

Cognitive symptoms refer to problems that have anything to do with brain processes like thinking, attention, perception, memory, reasoning, and problem solving. The most commonly observed cognitive symptoms of poorly managed stress are as follows:

• Memory problems

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For those who dont know, there are officially 38 different ways to make coffee. All, except decaffeinated versions will give you the same buzz that can either make you extremely productive or give you anxiety.

The only difference here is taste. And when it comes to coffee, taste matters. A lot.

How To Tell If Your Koi Are Stressed

Fish Pond Care is an important part of Koi keeping. Stress is an unavoidable part of life for any living creature. Its simply a reaction to something uncomfortable and new. Fish out in the wild would simply swim away when conditions became unstable for them, but in our care they are not able to swim away when the ammonia levels are too high, these fish are stuck. And being stuck topples their anxiety into stress.

Fish do not like changes in their environment of any kind, including temperature. Any changes add stress to the fish and the larger and faster the changes, the greater the stress. Koi can also become stressed from the temperature change when being transferred to another pond. It is not only the temperature the fish need to be accustomed to but also the pH, hardness and alkalinity of its new surroundings.

A huge part of detecting stress is observance. Another big part of Fish pond care is knowing what is normal behavior for your Koi. Fins are often the first body part to deteriorate when fish are stressed or unwell so they can give a good general guide to condition. Examine all fins, especially those underneath the fish, for ragged or uneven edges, tears, splits or bloodshot appearance. Red lines in the Koi fins are a sure sign that your Koi is under stress.

Specific examples of things which can cause stress are listed below.

Chemical stressors:

Biological stressors:

Buy Yourself Time And Space

Allowing your brain time to adjust and “come down” from stressful activities helps your system to regulate in a healthy way. If you’ve been jumping from virtual meeting to lunch prep and immediately into a stressful family phone call, remember to add a little space. Pause before answering your phone, give yourself a five-minute breather between work and family time, set an alarm to remind you to stretch a few times a day, and find ways to delegate some tasks. Each little bit helps.

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How Can I Tell How Bad It Is What Level Of Stress Am I Under

This time, rather than looking at mental and physical signs of stress, lets look at potential causes. The higher number of stressful situations you are faced with, the higher your stress levels are likely to be.

Once again, go through the list below and tick, honestly, each bullet point that applies to you.

• You are going through a divorce or a separation
• A close family member or friend has died
• You have a grave illness
• A close family or friend has a grave illness
• You have lost your job
• You are starting a new job
• You are getting married
• You are being managed out of your work / your company
• You have taken a new mortgage or new loan
• You are short of cash

Whats your score?

If you have ticked 3 or more, your stress levels are likely to be high.

Physical Signs And Emotional Symptoms Of Stress

Kids and teens may show physical, emotional and behavioral signs of stress. These signs are relatively consistent throughout children of all ages however, some indicators are less obvious than others. Pay special attention to any sudden shifts in behavior or unusual complaints your child brings up to you.

Physical signs of stress in children

• Headaches

• Emotional overreactions to minor incidents
• Regressing toward comforting behaviors from early childhood
• Social isolation, withdrawal, or unwillingness to participate in formerly enjoyed activities

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How To Manage Stressors

There are several techniques to successfully manage stress. The next time youre feeling stuck and overwhelmed, try these suggestions from Little Rock, Arkansas-based psychiatrist Rhonda Mattox, M.D.:

• Calm your body. Pay attention to thoughts and breathing patterns. Many times when we are stressed, our breathing patterns shift to rapid and shallow, says Dr. Mattox. Prioritize slowing your breathing down and breathing from your diaphragm. Diaphragmatic breathing has been proven in studies to lower your cortisol and reduce physical signs of stress. This is done by laying on your back or sitting up with one hand just below your ribcage and one on your chest. Inhale deeply through your nose and exhale through parted lips, and your diaphragm should rise while your chest remains still the entire time.

• Practice your boundary setting to avoid yes stress. Many times we have overcommitted, and that is the main culprit of our stress, Dr. Mattox says. People pleasing is at the root of not feeling comfortable saying no, or yes stress, she adds. Address this tendency honestly to better maintain your personal boundaries. Seeking therapy may help, since guilt and manipulation may affect your inability to say no.

• Break big tasks down into smaller to-dos, and dont be afraid to delegate. Dr. Mattox says the use of planners and journals can be particularly helpful in proactively addressing and managing stressors.

How To Combat Dry Air

The best way to add moisture to a home is with the addition of a whole-house humidifier. These systems are installed directly to the homes HVAC system, so you wont have to worry about certain areas of your home experiencing different levels of humidity. The air conditioning and heating system will deliver humidified air to your entire home to balance the humidity level.

While portable humidifiers can help to improve the humidity levels of certain areas of the home, you would need to put a portable humidifier in each room to receive the same results produced by a whole-house humidifier. A whole-house humidifier will provide the best results to combat dry indoor air.

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What Are Some Strategies For Stress Relief

You cant avoid stress, but you can stop it from becoming overwhelming by practicing some daily strategies:

• Exercise when you feel symptoms of stress coming on. Even a short walk can boost your mood.
• At the end of each day, take a moment to think about what youve accomplished not what you didnt get done.
• Set goals for your day, week and month. Narrowing your view will help you feel more in control of the moment and long-term tasks.
• Consider talking to a therapist or your healthcare provider about your worries.

Stress Symptom: A Sweet Tooth

Don’t automatically blame your chocolate cravings on your lady hormonesstress is a more likely trigger. When University of Pennsylvania researchers surveyed pre- and postmenopausal women, they found only a small decrease in the prevalence of chocolate cravings after menopausesmaller than could be explained by just a hormonal link. Study authors say it’s likely stress, or other factors that can trigger women’s hankering for chocolate.

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What Are The Signs Of A Stressed Snake

Stress doesnt have obvious physical symptoms like other health problems. However, there will be behavioral signs that your snake is unhappy.

This is your snakes way of letting you know that theres something wrong. The behavioral symptoms of stress in snakes include:

• Not eating. Your snake will refuse to eat, even if its feeding time.
• Attempted escape. Your snake is trying to get away from whats bothering it. Youll notice more movement around the sides of the snakes enclosure, pushing the substrate towards the middle.
• Nose rubbing. Your snake will rub its nose against the enclosure wall repeatedly, even if it causes it pain and discomfort.
• Tail rattling. Snakes rattle their tails like a rattlesnake to warn you. Colubrids, such as corn snakes, will often tale rattle as a warning sign.
• Regurgitation. Excessive handling after feeding is stressful.
• Constriction. Additional squeezing is a sign of anger and frustration.
• Hissing. All snakes hiss to warn that they dont like your presence.
• Striking. Your snake is agitated. According to Live Science, a snake that experiences stress is more likely to strike out at you. Snakes will coil up into an S-shape so that theyre ready to strike.

Experiment With Options That Soothe Your System

It may take some trial and error but finding stress reduction techniques that work for you can be helpful for years to come. Some things to try: gentle exercise , Epsom salt baths, breathing exercises like meditation, and even mindless activities like coloring or crafts. As you try things, keep a list of what works so you can access it again when you need it.

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Does Acute Stress Disorder Go Away

Acute stress disorder is a short-term condition and symptoms usually go away over time. Consult with your doctor about the most effective form of treatment for ASD. Treatment may include a psychiatric evaluation, therapy, and medications. Many people with ASD are later diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder .

How To Recognize The Signs Of Stress

Stress levels are at an all-time high in American culture. Many factors contribute to stress, from finances and work to family and relationships. No one wants to live with stress, but without recognizing it and taking measures to prevent or manage it, overcoming it will not be completely possible. Everyone handles stress differently, and not all people will have the same symptoms. Heres how to identify the signs of stress.

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Stress And Your Health

Stress is a feeling of emotional or physical tension. It can come from any event or thought that makes you feel frustrated, angry, or nervous.

Stress is your body’s reaction to a challenge or demand. In short bursts, stress can be positive, such as when it helps you avoid danger or meet a deadline. But when stress lasts for a long time, it may harm your health.

Your Jaw Has Seen Better Days

If you’re clenching up due to stress, then your back, neck, and shoulders will most definitely feel sore. But it can also affect your jaw, too. “Stress can manifest itself in the form of clenching or grinding your teeth,” says cosmetic dentist Mark Helm, DDS, in an email to Bustle. Besides ruining your dental health, clenching can lead to jaw pain. And that’s no fun at all.

And neither are any of these other symptoms. If you think stress is wrecking your body, then make it a point to get things under control. Remove yourself from toxic situations, plan some stress-reducing activities into your day, and remember to take care of yourself. Hopefully you’ll be able to relax before your stress-related symptoms get out of hand.

Images: Pexels

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Common Stressors In Children And Teens

If you notice any of the physical, behavioral or emotional symptoms of stress, take a minute to consider what may be causing these reactions. Stress in children is commonly caused by significant life changes, both positive, like starting a new grade, and negative, like family turmoil or classroom bullying. To help you troubleshoot for possible causes, weve listed common familial, academic and social stresses that children of all ages can experience. While youre reading, remember that all kids are unique in what they find stressful. Younger children, preteens and teens react differently to triggers in their environment. So, an incident causing stress to an 8-year-old boy may not trouble his 15-year-old sister.

Potential stressors for kids of all ages

• Conflict with friends, bullying, and peer pressure
• Changing schools

• Performing in front of others
• Getting picked last for sports teams
• Perceived dangers

Potential stressors for preteens and teens

• Going through puberty and bodily changes
• Poor self-esteem and negative thoughts about themselves
• Fear of the future
• Cyberbullying
• Pressure to try drugs and alcohol with friends

How Much Stress Is Too Much

Because of the widespread damage stress can cause, its important to know your own limit. But just how much stress is too much differs from person to person. Some people seem to be able to roll with lifes punches, while others tend to crumble in the face of small obstacles or frustrations. Some people even thrive on the excitement of a high-stress lifestyle.

Factors that influence your stress tolerance level include:

Your support network. A strong network of supportive friends and family members is an enormous buffer against stress. When you have people you can count on, lifes pressures dont seem as overwhelming. On the flip side, the lonelier and more isolated you are, the greater your risk of succumbing to stress.

Your sense of control. If you have confidence in yourself and your ability to influence events and persevere through challenges, its easier to take stress in stride. On the other hand, if you believe that you have little control over your lifethat youre at the mercy of your environment and circumstancesstress is more likely to knock you off course.

Your attitude and outlook. The way you look at life and its inevitable challenges makes a huge difference in your ability to handle stress. If youre generally hopeful and optimistic, youll be less vulnerable. Stress-hardy people tend to embrace challenges, have a stronger sense of humor, believe in a higher purpose, and accept change as an inevitable part of life.

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Do Men And Women Experience Stress Differently

Contrary to popular belief that women are more stressed-out and anxious than men, doctors say that there is no clear evidence that there is a gender difference when it comes to stress. I do think that women may be more likely to seek out help, says Dr. Gupta.

Yet the APA survey suggests that women are more likely to report feeling stressed than are men. Women say they have experienced a slight increase in their stress levels in the past year: On a scale from 1 to 10, with 1 being little or no stress and 10 being a great deal of stress, women went from 5.0 in 2016 to 5.1 in 2017 in contrast, mens stress dipped, from 4.6 in 2016 to 4.4 in 2017. The survey also found that men and women get stressed out by different things. Women are likelier to say they feel stress about hate crimes, wars and conflicts, and terrorism than men do.

Whatever symptoms of stress youre feeling or what may be causing them, its important to find stress relief to prevent both short- and long-term health problems related to stress. Find out how to do that here.

Youre Simply Not Enjoying The Things You Used To

One of the many emotional symptoms of stress is a general feeling of malaise. If youre dreading doing things you once lovedlike working out, spending time with friends, or simply talking a walknot only you could you be stressed, but you could also be suffering from depression.

Depression is precipitated by long-term, chronic exposure to stress, researchers published in the US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health wrote in a 2012 study. As the researchers noted, while experiencing high-stress situations, the body may again release stress hormones and that could inhibit a persons ability to experience joy in daily activities.

If you find yourself experiencing any of these symptoms, its time to talk to a health professional. That way, you have someone on your side to help you find ways to de-stress and get back to living your life your way.

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What Are People Saying

It may seem like Glassdoor reviews are the reports of disgruntled former employees only, but thereâs often truth to glean, even when the review is angry. All feedback gives us a chance to step back and review our strategies holistically. Itâs also important to take advantage of exit interviews. Give employees a chance to give honest feedback that could help the company improve. Employees may be afraid to burn bridges by giving critical feedback, so make it clear that all feedback is welcome and youâre looking to learn and grow.

If it sounds like your workforce might be a little more stressed than youâd previously thought, there are a few quick steps you can take.