|
Stress
is normal! Our reactions to it vary. The most frequent reaction
is anxiety. Anxiety increases with stress, fatigue, overwork, illness,
or the recurrence of previously stressful or harmful situations.
There are multiple indicators of stress and they are usually easy
to recognize, if you take the time to observe how you feel and act.
| Physical
Indicators |
Emotional
Indicators |
Mental
Indicators |
Behavioral
Indicators |
- Low energy/fatigue
- Physical illness
- Insomnia
- Change in appetite
- Upset stomach
- Tension or headaches
- Lower-back or neck
pain
- Dark circles under
eyes
- High
blood pressure
- Higher pulse &
breathing rates
- Dryness-throat &
mouth
- Restlessness
- Nervous tics
- Increased blood glucose
levels
|
- Tendency to blame
others
- Excessive complaints
- Feeling of being overwhelmed
- Feeling of ineffectiveness
- Feeling of being trapped
- Anxiety
- Phobias
- Depression with emotional
withdrawal
- Emotional outbursts
with crying
- Hostility
- Emotional instability
- Irritability
|
- Boredom
- Misplaced priorities
- Decreased creativity
- Poor judgement
- Inability to concentrate
on tasks
- Sudden change in thinking
about, or handling of, problems
- Tendancy to make more
mistakes
- Increased forgetfulness
- Decreased performance
- Excessive daydreaming
- Illogical thinking
- Low risk-taking
|
- Accident prone
- Impulsive behavior
- Eating disorders
- Increased smoking
- Increased absenteeism
- Sudden habit changes
- Easily startled
- Nervous laugh
- Stuttering or other
speech difficulty
- Nightmares & insomnia
- Agitation
- Lack of enthusiaum
- Short temper
- Increased use of drugs
- Non-productive but
busy
|
What
to do...
- Identify the cause
- Minimize your dependancy
on stimulants and drugs
- Avoid caffeine, other stimulants,
and alcohol
- Make time for leisure, start
a hobby
- Get enough sleep
- Learn to relax
- Exercise
regularly
- Follow your diet
- Learn deep breathing, yoga,
or meditation
- Be patient with yourself
and others
- Explore how you feel by
writing them down in a journal
- Talk to someone and verbally
express your feelings
- Take a stress management
course
- Seek professional help
|
