November 7th through the 11th is Stress Awareness Week! Everyone experiences stress throughout their life. Stress can manifest itself in our minds and physically on our bodies. Knowing your unique personal symptoms can assist you in taking the right course of action to destress and self-care.
Physical Signs & Symptoms of Stress
According to the Cleveland Clinic, stress has a variety of ways of showing itself through our bodies. The article states, “The body’s autonomic nervous system controls your heart rate, breathing, vision changes and more. Its built-in stress response, the “fight-or-flight response,” helps the body face stressful situations. When a person has long-term (chronic) stress, continued activation of the stress response causes wear and tear on the body. Physical, emotional, and behavioral symptoms develop” (Cleveland Clinic, 2021). Having physical symptoms of stress is how our bodies let us know something is wrong, but going through prolonged periods of stress will take a toll on you. Let’s talk about a few signs and symptoms and how to relieve them.
Physical Symptoms of Stress
- -Change in appetite: overeating or undereating
- -Chest pain
- -Headaches
- -Breathing difficulties
- -Fatigue
- -Jaw clenching
- -Changes in sleep: increased sleep or lack of sleep
- -Digestive problems
- -High blood pressure
- -Hair loss
- -Decreased libido
- -Body aches
While these symptoms can be overwhelming to see on paper, it is proactive to choose those that relate to your own experience. Knowing your body cues and having specific ways to manage them can give you better control of the situation.
Daily strategies for destressing techniques
- -Daily physical activity
- -Deep breathing
- -Participating in hobbies
- -Balanced diet
- -Talking with your support system
- -Having firm boundaries
- -Set easily attainable goals
- -Start a gratitude journal
*Consider reaching out to a medical professional if symptoms persist over two weeks
These strategies are simple ways to help you destress during those frustrating times in your life. Stress can be debilitating if not properly taken care of in healthy habits. Our bodies can only handle so much. Creating a game plan of recognizing the signs and taking action is a fantastic way to regulate your body.
What’s one way you practice healthy stress management?
Tell us in the comments below!
Look no further if you’re looking for a de-stressor during the upcoming holiday! Tapestry Resilience Initiative is releasing a week-long activity campaign on gratitude beginning November 18th through the 24th. Follow their social media pages to get involved!
Tapestry Resilience Initiative
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TapestryCHQ
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tapestrychq/
If you feel the need to reach out for help, here are some resources to guide you:
Call or text 988
Chat at 988lifeline.org
Text “HELLO” to 741741
www.nimh.nih.gov/suicideprevention
24/7 Chautauqua County Crisis Hotline at 1-800-724-0461
Don’t feel like talking? Text SUPPORT to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741
24/7 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255
Dunkirk Mental Hygiene Clinic (716) 363-3550
Jamestown Mental Hygiene Clinic (716) 661-8330
If you want to see a specific topic written about on our blog, please reach out to us via our Social Media Coordinator, Julie Paredes, at paredesj.ctr@chqgov.com or DM/Message us on our social media accounts! We would love to take into consideration what readers are interested in. All social media accounts are linked above, or you can follow us at https://www.facebook.com/MentalHygieneCHQ on Facebook & https://www.instagram.com/mentalhygienechq/ on Instagram! Guess what? We’re also on TikTok! You can find our page here -> https://www.tiktok.com/@chqmentalhygiene
Mental Hygiene CHQ Blog 