11 Signs That Stress is Getting the Better of You (Part 1)

Stress is one of the foremost silent killers of our time. It is known to worsen nearly all pre-existing health problems such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, respiratory illnesses, autoimmune disease, mental illnesses and so much more. Short-lived stress in life is inevitable, like when you lose a loved one or change jobs or homes but in our fast-paced, digital world cortisol can easily commandeer your life until you’re living in a perpetual state of stress. It can also be contagious. If those around you are stressing out, it can rub off until you don’t know why you’re huffing and puffing in frustration. It is important to be able to recognize the signs and symptoms of stress so you can work to lower your levels and live a happier, healthier life. You may be too stressed if:

1. You’re blinded by flaws – if you find yourself starting arguments with your family or friends or concentrating on peoples’ flaws, you may be more stressed than you realize. It is common to get caught up in negative thinking and behaviors when you’re stuck in a stress-loop.
2. You feel in a perpetual rush – If you feel like you’re constantly falling behind and not getting enough done or you can never seem to reach the goals you set, you may be overwhelmed.
3. You’re being extra hard on yourself – sometimes when stress is chronically piling up we tend to turn that frustration inward. It is tricky to never measure up to your own self-expectations but stress can really shake your confidence. So, if you find that you have been constantly berating yourself, it is time to evaluate your stress level and do something about it!
4. Your emotions are in control of you – sometimes when we’re overstressed, we respond more emotionally to our surroundings than usual. Do you keep crying on a dime? Are you enraged way too easily? You may be more stressed than you think.
5. You’re eating too much or not enough – Everyone has their vices. If food is yours, when you are stressed you may be relying too heavily on comfort foods. Do you find yourself mindlessly eating? You may be more stressed than you think. Alternately, some people do the opposite and stop eating or forget to eat when they are overburdened with stress. If your eating habits have been changing, it is time to check your stress level.

That concludes part 1, check back tomorrow for the next 5 signs that you’re more stressed than you think! Thanks for visiting DocChat. If you have any medical inquiries, our board-certified physicians are standing by 24/7/365 to assist you!