9 Common Symptoms of Stress

While stress is a regular part of living, and everybody experiences it at some point in 
their lives to some degree or another - it’s important to be in tune to the symptoms.
Stress and anxiety can seriously wreak some havoc on your body, but I’m sure you 
know this. 

There are a number of symptoms that are associated with stress, some more commonly 
known and others not so well known.

In this article, we’ll aim to discuss nine of the common symptoms that can rear their ugly 
faces when stress is becoming chronic in your life. Take note of which are occurring in 
your life at present.


Headaches

One of the most common symptoms of stress would certainly have to be headaches. 
Stress can cause tension in the muscles of your neck and scalp, which ultimately leads 
to headaches. 

In addition, stress can cause changes in your blood pressure, which can also contribute 
to headaches. If you find yourself suffering from headaches regularly, consider what’s 
really going on in your life.


Fatigue

Another common symptom of stress is fatigue. Stress can cause you to feel physically 
and emotionally drained, yes, even if you are still getting enough sleep. Chronic stress 
can also disrupt your sleep patterns, leading to further fatigue. You’ll feel like you’re 
suffocating and nothing will ever suffice - so tune into this element of stress.


Digestive problems

Stress can also have a significant impact on your digestive system in many funky ways. 
It can cause things like stomach aches, the unfortunate diarrhea, painful constipation, 
and other digestive problems.

All of this is simply because stress can interfere with the normal functioning of your 
digestive system. It sends signals between your brain and your body that make things 
go haywire.


Irritability
This shouldn’t surprise you at all, as we’ve all been there. Always remember that stress 
can cause you to feel irritable as well as short-tempered. You may find yourself 
snapping at others, even over the most minor of issues. This is because stress can 
affect your mood and make it harder for you to control your emotions, regardless of how 
level headed you’ve been before.


Anxiety

Stress can also lead to feelings of anxiety. They often go hand-in-hand which is why 
they’re so overwhelming together. You may feel constantly worried or fearful, even if 
there is no specific reason for it.

Chronic stress can also contribute to the development of anxiety disorders. So, do not 
let this symptom run rampant without trying to keep it in check.


Depression

In addition to anxiety, stress can also contribute to the development of the ever 
destructive emotion and state of being that is depression. Chronic stress can lead to 
feelings of hopelessness, helplessness, and sadness. It can also make it harder for you 
to enjoy the things that you used to find pleasurable.


Difficulty Concentrating

Stress can also have an immense impact on your ability to concentrate on anything 
regardless of how interesting or not interesting you believe it to be. You may find 
yourself having trouble focusing on tasks or remembering simple or significant things.
Chronic stress can also lead to cognitive problems over time. It can spill out in other 
ways in other parts of your life when exacerbated.


Increased Heart Rate

If you find your heart rate increasing and racing around, causing you to feel 
overwhelmed - then stress may actually be the cause of it. This is because stress 
triggers the release of adrenaline and other stress hormones, which can cause your 
heart to beat faster. As a result, this will make you feel more exhausted and fatigued, 
which relates to an earlier point that was mentioned.


Skin Problems

Stress can also have an ugly result on your skin. It can cause acne, painful rashes, and 
other skin problems all around. The reason behind this is because stress can trigger 
inflammation and other changes in your body that can affect your skin.

It’s important to realize that oftentimes it’s stress that’s causing these things, and 
instead of fighting to remedy them with medical solutions, you can tackle the stress first.


Stress is truly something that we all find ourselves challenged with, and it can have a 
negative impact on our physical, mental, and also emotional health.

By being conscious of the common symptoms that surround stress, you can take the 
proper steps to effectively manage your stress and improve your overall wellbeing. If 
you’re experiencing chronic stress that you truly can’t battle with your own habits and 
routines, there are other solutions.

It’s important to seek out support from a mental health expert to take care of this when it 
becomes too serious and too overwhelming. They can assist you with developing 
coping strategies that work for you to help manage your stress and improve your quality 
of life.

Remember, stress may be normal but it is possible to properly manage it and enjoy a 
fulfilling and happy life.


