Are Your Stress Symptoms Showing?

By Sandy Schroeder

The question of stress symptoms showing is a tricky one. You may feel someone in your family is becoming increasingly stressed. You may have a friend who seems seriously down. Or you may be showing signs of stress and not completely acknowledging them. Excessive stress is serious business; it needs to be addressed, wherever it shows up.

Recently, I thought I saw stress symptoms in a very dear friend. My friend was tense, irritable and not very talkative. Usually she is quick, bright and cheerful. We talked, and it turned out there had been stress accumulating over major family issues and financial matters.

If you think you see stress symptoms in yourself or someone else, don’t ignore them. Harvard Health says the following symptoms of stress may show up in adults and need to be handled.

• Back pain
• Tension headaches
• Indigestion
• Poor concentration
• Heart palpitations
• Indecisiveness
• Edginess
• Crying
• Irritability

The Dangers of Stress 

Chronic stress in adults can launch a wave of serious issues, including heart disease and related heart problems.

"Stress increases blood sugar and can make diabetes worse. It can create high blood pressure and cause insomnia. It can make people anxious, worried, depressed, or frustrated," according to Dr. Ann Webster, health psychologist, Benson-Henry Institute for Mind Body Medicine.

Following Up

If symptoms are ongoing, get help, see your doctor, and possibly a psychologist. Your chiropractor may be able to help, too, providing natural, whole person, drug-free treatment to help relieve pain and achieve ongoing wellness.

Lighten the Load

As you seek help, take additional healthy steps.

Ease up at work – Take an afternoon off, or start turning off your electronics when you arrive home. If you have issues, talk about them to find solutions.

Rest better – Make your bedroom a sleep haven with an air filter or fan for white noise, and blackout curtains. Try cutting off caffeine in early afternoon, and shoot for regular bedtimes.

Start moving more – Make the effort to get 30 minutes of walking, jogging, biking, stretching, gardening or sports time every day.

Hit the laughter button – Call an amusing friend or watch your favorite funny movies.

Explore new options – Consider tai chi, yoga, mindfulness meditation or qi-gong classes.

Reach out to family and friends – Stay in touch. Have coffee, lunch or dinner and enjoy the moment.

When stress shows up and refuses to leave, pay attention and keep working on the issue. You will be glad you did.

To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Wellington, Fla.

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