7 unexpected indications that suggest you are experiencing stress

Stress often has a bad reputation, while there is nothing wrong with a dosed amount. In fact, a little bit of stress makes us sharp, productive, creative and happy. It only becomes problematic if we ignore the signals that we are under too much stress for too long. Then tension is harmful to our body and our mind.

We now all recognize signals such as low energy, headaches and a short fuse as stress. But you probably don’t immediately think of these seven surprising signs. Still, they can indicate that you need to step on the brakes.

Surprising signs of stress

You have problems with your intestines

Your stomach is also called the second brain. This is because the abdomen contains at least as many nerve cells as your actual brain, and there is a clear connection between our abdomen and our brain. The butterflies you feel in your stomach when you are in love are a good example of this.

If you often have pain in your stomach, suffer from diarrhea or other intestinal complaints, your body sends a signal. Stress could very well be the culprit here.

You have muscle pain that you can’t explain

Muscle pain and no special workout done? Here too, your body could be telling you something. Muscle pain is one of the most common complaints when it comes to stress. That’s because you tense your shoulders, jaw and neck all day long.

You have cold feet or hands

The most obvious reason for cold feet and hands is, of course, cold. However, it can also indicate stress – especially if it is warmer outside. Cold and stress have the same effect on the body. When cold, the blood vessels in the hands, feet, ears and nose constrict, so that less blood flows through them. The blood has to keep your important organs warm. You cannot live without these organs.

When you are stressed, your body prepares to fight or flee. This process also sends blood to the heart, lungs and liver, leaving your hands and feet cold.

Stressed out? That’s how you notice

You are forgetful

Have you been chaotic lately and forget your appointments and where you put your things? When you are under too much stress, you have high levels of cortisol in your body. Because the activity in your prefrontal cortex is reduced, the functioning of your memory deteriorates.

You are cynical

Not only physical complaints can be signals that you are under too much stress. Changes in your psychological state and in your behavior can also indicate this. Cynical remarks, especially when it comes to work, are a sign that you’re burnt out. The cynicism arises from a lack of confidence and hope.

You make unhealthy choices

If you’re constantly feeling overwhelmed, chances are you’re going to make unhealthy choices. For example, you will eat much more, or, conversely, less. You start smoking again, or you start smoking more. Or maybe you find yourself drinking a lot more alcohol. These ways of dealing with stress are different for everyone, but often cause more stress.

A good example is that someone with money worries starts gambling or goes shopping (online). This will give you a good feeling in the short term, but will cause even more money worries in the long term.

You have an unexplained skin rash

Your body produces cortisol when you are stressed. That doesn’t have to be bad at all, but if you’re stressed for a long time, the amount of cortisol in your body can no longer drop to the normal level. This ensures, for example, that you constantly have a cold.

This hormone also causes you to suffer more from pimples. A rash on your stomach, back, arms or face can also suddenly appear out of nowhere.

Which signals you suffer from differs per person, says psychologist Thijs Launspach in the podcast Bedrock Talks. Yet it is extremely important to recognize your own signals. Initially, the complaints are mainly annoying: you are tired, sometimes feel anxious and suffer from physical complaints.

Are you ignoring those signals and not getting the necessary rest? Then your body pulls the emergency brake and a burnout is lurking. If you feel stressed, this number can also offer a solution. It has a proven calming effect.

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