April is known as our National Stress Month and what better topic to cover this month than stress! According to the Global Organization for Stress, 75% of Americans report struggling with moderate to severe stress levels in the past 30 days. In other words 3 out of 4 people are living their lives in incredible amounts of stress.
As we have learned, stress is necessary for our overall wellness. Last blog post I wrote about 10 reasons you might feel stressed out but this week I want to bring awareness to signs that we are stressed out.
Denial tends to be a defense mechanism that we use in order to avoid the reality of a situation. Many times we are in denial about how stressed we actually are but then our mind and body start telling us otherwise. Below is a list of signs you want to become aware of as they may indicate that you are stressed out.
How is my body telling me that I am stressed?
- Rashes, hives and skin irritation
- Unexplained headaches and migraines
- Unexplained body or chest pain
- Gastrointestinal issues
- Increased or decreased appetite
- Sleep impairment
What is my brain telling me that I am struggling?
- Irritability
- Anger outbursts
- Crying spells
- Low energy levels
- Lack of interest in previously enjoyed activities
How is stress manifested in my relationships?
- Social withdrawal
- Declining event invitations
- Relationship conflicts
How does stress show up in the work setting?
- Decreased work productivity
- Missing work more often than usual
- Conflict with co-workers
What are some of the spiritual signs that I am struggling?
- Decreased engagement in religious activities, such as prayer, Scripture reading
- Reduced frequency of attending gatherings
- Faithlessness and hopelessness
Stay tuned next week as I write about ways that you can relieve stress in a healthy matter. You don’t have to live under the constant unmet expectations and anxiety. Need help with managing your stress? Don’t hesitate to contact us. Feel free to use our self-scheduling tool as well! We are here to help.
