7 subtle signs of high stress you mightn’t know about
Whether you’re working or retired, our modern lives are so action-packed that it’s never been easier to become stressed. Not only can stress negatively affect our mental health, but it can increase your risk of (or even cause) a myriad of physical ailments. Stress manifests itself in so many different ways that often those experiencing it don’t even realise. Here are seven surprising indicators of stress to look out for.
1. Rapid or irregular heart beat – Ever get that feeling like your heart skipped a beat but not because of love? It could be down to another intense feeling – stress. Stress increases heart rate, potentially causing palpitations and arrhythmia.
2. Low libido – If your sex drive has taken a dive, you might be experiencing stress, which is unfortunate, since sex (more specifically, orgasms) has been proven to reduce stress.
3. Sleep troubles – Insomnia and broken sleep are commonly caused by constant worrying and negative thoughts, often brought on by stress.
4. Nausea – Yes, you can actually be stressed to the point of being sick. When you’re stressed, your body releases higher levels of the fight-or-flight hormone cortisol, which can wreak havoc on your gut bacteria.
5. Low immunity – Losing your voice? Constantly catching a cold? When you’re stressed, so is your immune system, making you more susceptible to illness and less likely to shake it off as fast as you would normally.
6. Short temper – Even the sweetest-natured person on the planet can snap if stress is taking over their lives. Because you’re in that fight-or-flight mode, your brain unconsciously prevents you from focusing on anything that could potentially make you more stressed – including friends and family who may only be trying to help.
7. Restlessness – Not only does stress make you restless at night, but also during the day. The more stressed you become, the more urgent all your tasks feel. This can lead to channelling your nervous energy into fidgeting and being unable to stay still.
How do you deal with stress? Share your tips with the Over60 community in the comments below.