Do you know when you are stressed?

One thing I find often in my practice is that people don't connect the feelings they are experiencing with "stress". They don't connect their state of health with "stress". They don't connect their eating habits with "stress". They don't connect physical pain with "stress". What I am saying is that often people don't actually know that they are stressed. People can tick along ignoring the signs of stress, masking the problem even from themselves. It can sometimes take a huge event, perhaps of ill health to make a person sit back and take stock, to reflect on their lives and to finally see the stress they are experiencing. Sometimes they never see it and this can have catastrophic effects. Stress has been proven to contribute to major illnesses and health conditions such as Cancers, High Blood Pressure & Heart Disease to name but a few. All of these can lead to death.

It is important therefore to tackle stress when it first arises or even better to use preventive measures to avoid stress in the first place. Prolonged stress will lead to bad health and can effect Physical or Mental health or both.

So... How do you know you are stressed? It's important to know so that you can take action now if you discover that you are.

We divide the symptoms/effects of stress into 4 categories. You may experience some from only one category or some from several. If you experience any of the symptoms listed here, it is worth your while investigating further and looking at the issue of "Stress" in your life.

Physical - We feel it physically (in the body)

• Muscle tension
• Backache
• Headache
• High blood pressure
• Breathlessness
• Indigestion
• Loss of appetite
• Clenched teeth
• Shakes (hands/head)

Mental - We feel it mentally (in the mind)

• Indecisiveness
• Poor concentration
• Confused Thinking
• Rash decisions
• Forgetfulness

Behavioural - It will show in your behaviour

• Social withdrawal
• Non-stop talk
• Accident prone
• Aggressive behaviour
• Nail-biting
• Insomnia
• Chain-smoking
• Nervous laughter
• Excessive drinking

Emotional - It will effect the emotions

• Anxiety
• Impatience
• Irritability
• Guilt feelings
• Depression
• Mood swings
• Overreaction of anger
• Cynicism
• Negative thoughts

Good health and happiness to you

Niamh Hogan

Holos Health and Wellbeing