Early Warning Signs Of Stress

When the brain is exhausted it becomes difficult to concentrate and making a simple decision may seem like a monumental problem. If this feeling of being tired is ignored or suppressed by drinking alcohol or smoking cigarettes we may feel relieved, but soon reach a point of diminishing returns. Our thought processes becomes muddled and if we continue to push ourselves then we either become angry and get upset easily or we lose all perspective on life and feel totally hopeless. This feeling of being “low” may cause us to withdraw from society altogether.

Some people smoke or drink for social enjoyment, but others out there are doing these things in order to cope with stress and relieve anxiety or depression. Of course a small amount of drinking may help us relax, and smoking may shift the mood temporarily, but unfortunately both activities become habits and during stress we come to rely on them more and more. Consciously or subconsciously, cigarettes are lit and stubbed out in a chain and drink poured as if automatically, every time we feel under pressure or are irritable.

Eating patterns may change under stress. Some people cannot seem to eat anything when under pressure and yet others will turn to food as their number one source of comfort. Losing weight or putting on weight fast can thus be a sign of long-term stress. Similarly, sleep patterns may change for the worse. Some people are not able to sleep and end up becoming insomniacs. Other people get lost in their sleep and even after laying in bed for twelve to sixteen hours at one time, they still wake up feeling tired and drained. Some clearly do not wish to wake up, while others cannot fall asleep because their minds are constantly riveted on the problem while their restless bodies toss and turn.

When upset and stressed, we are likely to rebel against rules and regulations and to become accident-prone. Chronic tension can result in all sorts of nervous actions like nail biting, pulling hair, jiggling the knee or the foot, or stuttering, etc. When the mouth is dry and the throat muscles tense, swallowing may become difficult and we may feel a sensation of choking.

We respond to stress physically, mentally, and emotionally and in the way we behave. The physical signs are easy to understand when we understand the physiology of stress. Other signs are a little more difficult to recognize unless we are aware of them. Some of us respond predominantly through bodily symptoms. It is important that we recognize the way we respond to stress. Unless and until we recognize our symptoms we will not be able to learn how to prevent or minimize them.