Though stress always brings discomfort and overwhelm, it is a sign to identify psychological and physiological issues going on in the body and brain. Chronic stress aggravates depression and anxiety. These are serious problems ranked as number one contribution to poor health in almost every state of U.S. among the top five health conditions. To manage stress, the step is to identify the symptoms and when is the right time to seek help.April is Stress Awareness Month, and since the pandemic hit, there has been a great susceptibility of people prone to high level of stress in everyday life. Facing such levels of stress in your daily routine is not normal and needs proper treatment because in the long run it has have not only psychological but physical consequences as well.

What is Stress?

Stress is state of mental and emotional strain that originates from demanding or challenging situations. Most people are negatively affected by stress, as it goes untreated. High levels of constant stress can result in a severe case, resulting in breakdown needing hospital treatment.

The body’s response to stress can involve some or all of these:

• • Rise in Heart Rate
• • Tense Muscles
• • Rise in Blood Pressure
• • Slowing Down of Digestive System
• • Increased Alertness
• • Heavy and Rapid Breathing
• • Slowing of Immune System

Positive Stress vs. Negative Stress

Stress can be positive at times, when it causes a burst of energy as a motivator to get things done with increase in productivity. However, most people face the negative stress, which in often long-lasting, unmanageable, and hinders productivity. Negative stress can be detected by following signs:

• • Dizziness
• • Change in Appetite
• • Headache and Fatigue
• • Deprivation of Energy
• • Varying Sleeping Patterns
• • Nervousness and Lack of Motivation
• • Upset Stomach

Negative stress can lead to long-term serious issues and there could be various underlying reasons. Seeking help and treatment becomes important when the symptoms of stress start interfering with daily routine life. If stress doesn’t get treated, it can lead to chronic disorders:

• Depression/Anxiety:

If symptoms of stress continue for a long time and remain untreated, anxiety disorders and depression can be caused due to long-term suppression of feelings of anxiousness.

• Diabetes:

Research states that stress can cause and worsen Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes and may also contribute to insulin resistance.

• Heart Problems:

Researchers have also found relationship between stress and risk of heart disease, which is considered as s silent killer in American population.

• Gastrointestinal Issues:

As the gut is called “second brain”, stress also affects it causing impacts to physical well-being. High levels of stress can show short-term and long-term effects on gut health causing digestive disorders.

• Obesity:

Chronic stress also affects moods, appetite, and cravings. People crave for comfort food and excessive and frequent intake of fatty foods then cause obesity eventually leading to heart diseases.