4 Signs of Stress You Don't Want to Ignore

Oct 29, 2021

You’ve been able to handle the stress of the job admirably. Oh sure, in the beginning you struggled with the demands of the job and had a few sleepless nights. But you’re an old salt now. Nothing seems to bother you. Or at least that’s what you’d like to think.

I used to believe the same thing until I realized I had been ignoring the signs. The stress of a demanding career had caught up with me.

Are you aware of how easily life’s challenges can have a negative effect on your entire well-being? You’ve surely had an experience or two that still stick with you. Sounds, images, or smells pop into your mind when you’re idle. You thought you’d dealt with that a long time ago.

However, even though you thought you successfully processed the experience, there may be some very real side-effects that you overlook as “things that happen” in life.

Some of those very things may be signs of stress that can lead to further challenges down the road if left unattended.

Ask yourself if the following behaviors or states of mind have been prevalent at any stage of your life. If you’re able to identify with them, the chances are that unrecognized stress is manifesting, and it’s important to eliminate it right away.

Stress reduction methods like exercise and talking to someone you trust can bring immense relief and restore your well-being.

How to Identify Physical and Mental Signs of Stress

1. Change in sleep habits. Nobody knows your body better than you do. You know how much sleep you usually get on a good night, and if you find yourself sleeping either significantly more or less than usual, chances are you’re undergoing stress. A change in sleep habits is a sure sign that something is keeping you in an unsettled state.

Try to engage in relaxing activities at the end of each day that can help put you in the frame of mind for rest. Establish a “winding down” routine. It could be as simple as taking a shower and imagining all the junk and stress of the day being washed off and going down the drain. Listen to music that tends to put you in a good mood. Or maybe just take a walk.

If your sleep issues persist, see your doctor for further guidance.

2. Frequent mood swings. Take a moment to think back over the last few days and how you handled each situation that confronted you. Did you handle everything in your usual calm, controlled, effective manner? If not, you may be dealing with stress issues.

Frequent mood swings, especially if your mood has swung from frustration, anger, and irritability to defensiveness, impatience, and overreaction, are a clear indication that stress is kicking your behind.

Other moods and states of mind to look out for include:

o Feeling depressed

o Helplessness with things you can normally accomplish easily

o Irrationality in dealing with decision-making

o Restlessness and anxiety

3. Nervous behavior. When you start to show physical signs of nervous behavior, it’s likely a sign that something is secretly stressing you out. Here are some signs of anxious behavior that you may need to address to identify the cause.

Twitching
Fiddling
Excessive talkativeness
Teeth grinding
Excessive sighing
Nail-biting
Pacing

4. Indecisiveness and confusion. If you’re usually able to think things through with a clear head and now you can’t, it’s likely that you’re struggling with stress.

Stress results in feeling out of control and overwhelmed, even with things that you can normally handle with confidence.

Ill health isn’t always about feeling aches and pains. The domino effect of stress can result in serious health challenges. For your own benefit, it’s essential to pay attention to yourself and ensure you do whatever’s necessary to reduce your stress.