How do we know when we are struggling with Stress? Read on and I will explain the Physical Signs of Stress. Similarly, this will help you recognise when you need to reduce your anxiety.
Some stress is good, it gets us up in the morning, and it is there to protect us. Stress is a physical response when our body thinks we’re in a crisis or under attack, we go into ‘fight, flight or freeze’ mode. For example, you’re driving, and a person suddenly runs out in front of you, so you react and slam on the brakes! It’s something we don’t expect so our mind sees it as an instant threat.
What is Normal Stress?
When faced in a threat situation, our Sympathetic Nervous System alerts the adrenal glands to increase adrenaline and cortisol preparing for fight, flight or freeze.
These hormones increase our heart rate to pump the blood to the muscles so we can fight or flee.
Our breathing becomes fast and shallow to increase oxygen uptake, so we can escape quickly. They shut down some bodily functions, such as digestion, so energy isn’t wasted on that.
We get an energy boost to sharpen our mind and respond quickly to the situation.
In the early 20th century, American physiologist Walter Bradford Cannon coined the term “fight-or-flight response.”
Therefore, stress is not all bad because without it we would not have survived. Thinking back to early man, stress alerted them to the dangers around them, from wild animals or rival tribesmen.
Chronic Stress
However, chronic stress can cause a whole host of problems. When our stress levels become too much, we find everything is a threat to us. Even the simplest of tasks can seem unachievable. In conclusion we are spiralling in a negative cycle and filling our stress bucket more. The Physical Signs of Stress create long-term concerns.
Physical Signs we experience
- The racing heart can cause high blood pressure and heart disease, because of the constricting of the arteries.
- We get muscle pain due to holding tension and poor posture, especially in our shoulders and chest.
- Headaches and migraines are more frequent. This is due to the tension in the muscles and hypertension.
- We can get digestive problems such as IBS or nausea. Because digestion shuts down in a threat situation. We may feel the urgency to go to the toilet. The high anxiety can then exacerbate this feeling and get caught in a vicious cycle. Thinking we will ‘need to go’ when we’re in the same situation.
- Being caught in the negative cycle builds mental health problems. With high anxiety we are constantly looking out for threats. Or low mood by protecting ourselves and staying in our cave.
- Our memory and concentration are impaired. When we are stressed our brain function is lessened and our IQ dips up to 50%. Leading to an inability to think straight or rationally. Obviously, a state that isn’t ideal in both our work & home lives!
- You may encounter fertility complications. When we are stressed, our reproduction can shut down as well as digestion. It’s our bodies way of not procreating when there are high stressors about.
- We have disrupted sleep. Sleep plays a fundamental part in our overall general health. Life throws many stresses at us which disrupt our sleep patterns, causing us to get poor mental and physical health. I explain more about Why do We Sleep and share tips to aid a good night sleep.
- High levels of cortisol suppress our immune system and causes inflammation.
- Stress can cause weight gain. Cortisol’s effect on our appetite means we crave high-calorie foods. Which means a repeated elevation of cortisol can lead to weight gain via visceral fat cells. These fat cells situated deep inside the belly, have more cortisol receptors than subcutaneous fat.
- There is more at risk of diabetes. The body remains in a general insulin-resistant state when cortisol levels are chronically elevated. Over time, the pancreas struggles to keep up with the high demand for insulin. The glucose levels in the blood remain high, meaning the cells cannot get the sugar they need. The cycle continues.
What is Cortisol?
I’ve mentioned Cortisol, so what purpose does it serve us? The adrenal glands, situated on top of each kidney, release Cortisol into the bloodstream. This steroid hormone acts on many different parts of the body and helps your body respond to stress or danger. In moderation it increases your body’s metabolism of glucose. It controls your blood pressure. In addition, reduces inflammation.
Having the right cortisol balance is essential for human health. Conversely you can have problems if your adrenal glands release too much, or too little cortisol. The physical signs of stress are when the cortisol and adrenaline are released. The long term, complex mix of these hormones, has a detrimental effect on our physical health.
What is a Stress Bucket?
So, we need some stress in our lives. However, when the balance gets tipped, everything is viewed as a threat. The what-ifs, everyday tasks, meeting people, or going outside the safety of our ‘cave’. Everyone’s stress is different. In sessions we talk about a stress bucket. Some peoples can fill very quickly. For others they can take an immense amount of stress before their bucket fills up. It is personal to you. There shouldn’t be any shame, in not being able to cope well under stress. We all have a bucket; it’s how we manage it. Have a read or watch my YouTube video on What is a Stress Bucket.
Hypnotherapy
If you are finding it difficult to carry out simple daily tasks, and manage your Stress Bucket, then Hypnotherapy may be the answer. We can create the change you need in your life, by focusing on the goals which will provide that change. In sessions we go through lots of coping techniques to promote relaxation. We can clear the stressful memories that are stuck in the bucket with a specific program, The Mind Reboot. In other words, we reduce stress levels, release all trauma, resolve anxious & depressive states, re-program emotional triggers, and collapse any limiting beliefs.
In conclusion, I hope you have found the information about the Physical Signs of Stress useful to you. After this have a read about the Emotional and Behavioural Signs of Stress. I explain how we can react when stressed. In addition, I offer some useful Ways to Calm the Body and Mind.
Find out if I’m the right therapist to guide you to reduce your stress.
Contact me to book your free initial consultation phone call. I am fully qualified, verified and insured and hold an enhanced DBS.
Supporting you through life stresses to emerge as the person you wish to be…
