9 Telltale Signs of Stress ...

One of the classic signs of stress is hair loss or graying hair. Many of us joke about it but it can signal a real problem. Although hair loss can result from a variety of reasons, such as illness, stress is one of the biggies when it comes to losing strands of hair. The good news about stress-induced hair loss according to the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology is that it typically corrects itself once the stressful incident ends.

A common sign you’re stressed out is a weakened immune system. Stress can affect our immune system by releasing hormones that help regulate your immune system; however, prolonged release of these hormones results in the exact opposite. Another effect is that is can shrink the gland that produces white blood cells that fight infections. Help boost your immunity by exercising and getting adequate sleep.

Having anxiety in our lives is somewhat normal with all the deadlines and mile-long to-do lists we have, but frequently feeling anxious can be from too much stress. Is the increase in anxiety a result of having a lot of stressors in your life currently? If not, you might want to talk to your doctor about it as it could be generalized anxiety disorder. Either way, there is relief!

Headaches are quite common, but when they appear more frequently or you’re getting more tension headaches, it could be a stress symptom. Tension headaches typically occur randomly and feel like a tightening sensation around your head with soreness around your temples. For infrequent headaches you can try over-the-counter products for relief, but if they occur more frequently, try talking to your doctor about other options.

Vomiting is another sign you’re stressed out. A combination of stress and anxiety can trigger something called cyclic vomiting syndrome where you feel nauseated and vomit for a prolonged period of time, typically at the same time every day. Experts recommend treating this condition by drinking plenty of water and resting. You can also practice things like meditation to help you deal with stressors and anxiety.

Sometimes when you’re under a lot of stress for a long period of time, it can cause you to feel fatigued. Some people who are under pressure tend to feel fatigued but are able to relieve their symptoms with proper rest, nutrition and stress reduction. If you feel lethargic regardless of the previously mentioned suggestions, it could be a chronic problem that needs to be addressed by your doctor.

The symptoms of stress seem to pop up in just about every area of our health! If you find yourself craving more sweets or salty foods, stress could be the culprit! Craving these types of foods is said to be the body’s natural response to exhaustion since these foods give us a quick boost. WebMD recommends making smarter food choices to satisfy cravings or engaging ourselves in other activities, like reading, walking or treating ourselves to a pedicure!

I think a lot of us have experienced that odd, twitchy feeling in our eyelid at random times. There are actually a few causes of this sensation and one of them includes, you guessed it, stress! According to The National Library of Medicine, the most common causes are fatigue, stress and caffeine. If you experience this frequently, try cutting back on caffeine, trying to sleep more and using eye drops to lubricate your eyes.

Another common symptom of stress can be seen through our skin. You can be meticulous in your skin care regimen but if you’re constantly in a state of stress, it can wreak havoc on your skin! According to the American Academy of Dermatology, psoriasis, eczema, seborrheic dermatitis, rosacea and acne can all be triggered or worsened by stress. Talk to your dermatologist or doctor about it. The AAD suggests that treating both the stressor and the skin condition can improve things greatly!

Did you find any of these symptoms of stress familiar? While we can’t exactly lead a stress-free life, there are many things we can do to change our reaction to it! Exercising, reading, playing with an animal and acupuncture, in addition to a healthy lifestyle, can make a world of difference! How do you relieve stress?