Let's face it, we've all experienced stress at some stage in our life! Stress is not necessarily a bad thing - it's a natural response to life's demands, but when left unchecked, it can take a significant toll on both our mind and body. However, the impacts of stress aren’t always obvious as sometimes it can manifest in subtle ways that are easy to overlook, particularly if we have a busy life, or aren't connected to our body. Each person's body will react to stress differently, so its important to understand the messages your body is sending you through your symptoms.
Physical Symptoms
Fatigue, constant tiredness, even after a full night’s sleep
Headaches, migraines or unexplained tension headaches
Shoulders, neck or back pain or muscle tension that doesn’t seem to go away
Trouble falling asleep or staying asleep
Emotional Symptoms
Irritability, feeling frustrated or easily upset
Anxiety, constant worry or a sense of impending doom
Overwhelm, struggling to keep up with daily tasks or feeling like everything is too much
Behavioral Symptoms
Avoiding social interactions or withdrawing from activities you once enjoyed
Procrastination as the simplest tasks feel daunting, leading to a lack of motivation
Overeating of loss of appetite
When we face stress, our nervous system shifts into "fight, flight, freeze or fawn" mode, flooding our bodies with chemicals designed to protect us in the short-term. But if stress becomes chronic and the release of the 'stress hormones' continues, it keeps us in a constant state of alert, disrupting our HPA Axis and causing dysregulation of our nervous system and vagus nerve.
Hence, if left unmanaged, chronic stress can cause ‘dis-ease’ within the body, leading to burnout, anxiety, and even serious health issues, like weakened immunity, digestive problems, and heart strain. Thereby, recognising our own personal stress signals signs early is crucial for managing stress effectively and preventing it from escalating into something more severe.
Don’t wait until it’s too late—take action now. Research: The Physiology of Stress
Rosanna Commisso - Founder, StressCare Solutions Living with extreme long-term stress has shaped my passion for helping others find their path to stress resilience through self-care. If you need support, I’m here to help you understand the impact of stress and provide guidance on how to improve your health and quality of life.
M: 0402 917 064