For many, stress is accepted as a matter of course. After all, life is a never ending race against the clock, with stressors waiting around every turn.
But very few people realize that stress can be the source of many serious side effects that, if left untreated, can lead to serious health problems.
Take the following quiz to determine if you are taking life in stride or just plain stressed out.
Have you been experiencing fluctuations in weight?
When your body is under stress it releases a flood of hormones meant to help you escape danger. One of these hormones, cortisol, can actually slow the bodys metabolism, causing unusual amounts of weight gain. Additionally, higher levels of stress can cause changes in fat distribution, which can lead to greater amounts of fat accumulating in the belly area.
How many hours per night do you sleep?
Most adults need at least seven hours of sleep a night, but people under stress often find that they are unable to sleep for a sufficient amount of time each night. An excess amount of cortisol released in the system when the body is under stress can often make it difficult to relax enough to sleep. Conversely, some people experience the need to sleep more than the recommended amount at night.
Have you been experiencing headaches?
Headaches especially tension headaches are common among people dealing with stress. Tension headaches can be either episodic (less than 15 days a month), or chronic (15 or more days a month). The severity of the headache is thought to increase with frequency.
Have you been experiencing difficulty with memory and concentration?
The fatigue brought on by stress can often cause cognitive problems. In addition to effecting ones memory and concentration, stress can cause cynicism and poor judgment. In fact, if left untreated long enough, stress can permanently transform the brain, making it more vulnerable to anxiety and depression.
Have you been experiencing any gastrointestinal distress?
Like the brain, the stomach is full of nerves, and is very receptive to stressors. Because of this, excess stress very often leads to heartburn and nausea. Some people even develop irritable bowel syndrome, which causes bloating, gas, diarrhea, constipation, cramping and abdominal pain.
Do you get sick often?
Prolonged stress is known to decrease the effectiveness of the immune system. When under stress, people often find that they get sick more often and that it takes them longer to recover.
Have you been experiencing adult acne?
Numerous studies have suggested that stress contributes to poor skin health in general. Overproduction of cortisol can cause the sebaceous glands to produce more oil, which in turn makes the skin prone to breakouts.
Do you often feel that your life is out of control?
Some people are more susceptible to stress than others. Often times, the people that report experiencing the greatest amounts of stress are people who feel that their lives are out of their control. Taking stress in stride is often a matter of having confidence in your ability to persist through challenges.
Do you find yourself more prone to drinking or smoking when you feel anxious?
Many people who experience stress in day to day life turn to smoking and drinking as a way to cope. Often, alcohol serves as a distraction, while smoking is a relaxation device. It is worth noting, however, that smoking has actually been shown to increase feelings of stress.
Have you been experiencing muscle tension in the back, neck or jaw?
Feeling the weight of the world is on your shoulders is not uncommon among people who undergo a great deal of stress. When you are on edge for hours, your muscles are kept in a partially contracted state. This can lead to a great deal of tension in the back, neck and jaw.
This Box will Close In 5 Seconds
