Stress Levels: How Stressed Are You?

Researchers define stress as the physiological and psychological state that someone experiences during a harmful, demanding or threatening situation. Both negative as well as positive events can be stressful to the body. A promotion, taking a trip, moving, or even getting married are events that can create some kind of stress.

Undergoing a certain amount of stress in our lives each day is considered healthy. Managing and determining stress levels can help create emotional resilience and will also improve the ability to cope with life. There is a point when too much stress on the body becomes unhealthy. While there are some symptoms and signs of unhealthy stress that are very obvious, there are others that are hidden under fatigue or workload. As a result of this, people can become extremely stressed out and not even realize the impact it is having on the mind, body and soul.

The following are some signs and symptoms to determine stress levels:

1. Becoming physically sick. Sickness is a very obvious sign of unhealthy stress levels. Many more people are susceptible to a cold or flu when overly stressed. Other people may experience headaches, stomach aches or heart palpitations under extreme stress. It is important to get the right amount of sleep and eat healthy food to fight any sickness that could be caused by stress.

2. Moodiness. Being moody or cranky is a sign of being overly stressed, particularly if you are not the kind of person who is normally moody.

3. Loneliness.You begin to put distance between yourself and social obligations, events or relationships. Whether you stop going out because of a busy schedule or because you cannot handle the interaction among people, a change in social calendar is a sign of unhealthy stress.

4. Fatigue. Feeling extremely tired can be caused from working too hard, not getting enough sleep or worrying too much. All of this puts stress on your body.

5. Weight gain or loss. Unexpected changes in weight may be caused by stress, especially if you are exercising less and/or taking in more calories due to stressful times.

6. Partaking in unhealthy behaviors. Alcohol, drugs and other activities are indicators of unhealthy levels of stress, and are often used to cover up other issues.

7. Losing interest in hobbies. Stress tends to use up all of your emotions and energy and to the point where you can no longer enjoy activities you once loved.

There are some things you can check to determine your stress level. Check different muscles in your body for tension including the forehead, eyes, jaws, arms, chest, stomach and legs. Body temperature can also be an indicator of stress levels. Place your hand on your neck; if your hand is cooler than your neck then your body is probably stressed.

Many people tend to perspire when tense. This is an involuntary response caused by secretion of stress hormones. This shows your body is responding to some stressor. A rapid pulse rate and shallow breathing can also determine if a body is stressed. Learning coping skills is the first step of controlling stress so that you do not suffer the physical implications.

This article is made possible by Argosy University.