Are You Under Too Much Stress?
By Sara Butler
At some point, everyone is bound to deal with feelings of stress. As many as 33 percent of adults report feeling high levels of stress, according to the National Institutes of Health. Yes, stress is a part of life that can’t be completely eliminated, but too much of it can also cause mental and physical symptoms that aren’t good for your overall health. How can you tell if your stress levels are unhealthy? Here are a few of the most common symptoms of stress to be on the lookout for.
Headaches
Several studies have found stress to contribute to the development of chronic headaches. This may be because when you’re feeling stressed it can interrupt your sleep, contribute to alcohol consumption, and cause you to become dehydrated -- all contributing factors to chronic headaches.
A common trigger for headaches is stress, so if you’re experiencing more than your fair share, then it’s probably time to evaluate why.
You’re Sick a Lot
If you feel as if you’re constantly fighting off illness, then you may need to place the blame on your stress levels. Stress can have a big impact on the function of your immune system, which can then make you more susceptible to illness and infections.
It is important to note that stress is only one piece of the immune system puzzle. A weakened immune system also can be the result of physical inactivity, poor diet, and other health issues. So, if you feel like you’re getting the sniffles a lot, then don’t just look at stress as being the only culprit.
Decreased Energy
Decreased energy levels and fatigue can be caused by high levels of prolonged stress. That’s because stress can cause problems falling asleep at night and if you don’t get enough quality sleep each and every night, then it can begin to impact your energy levels each day.
Other reasons you may feel as if you have less energy is low blood sugar, underactive thyroid, poor diet, and dehydration -- so take an inventory of your sleep patterns and try to discover what may be causing your loss of sleep so you can fix it. You need energy in order to get through your day to stay healthy.
Sweating
Stress may cause you to sweat excessively. Some studies have found that people who are under higher levels of stress sweat more than those who aren’t. So, if you don’t want to be a sweaty mess all the time, then look for ways to better control your stress levels!
Stress can impact your health in strange ways. If something feels off, then you should assess your stress levels and find healthy ways to deal with it!
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Greenwood Village, Colo.