Given that stress is one of the most pervasive illnesses of modern times, you’d think that we’re all aware of it. You’d think it would be something we’d be able to identify when it’s right under our noses; so obvious, so frequently discussed, that it’s pretty much impossible to ignore.
You’d think, anyway.
The truth is, that aside from those moments that are easily acknowledged as being stressful, that stress has a tendency to linger in the background. Chronic stress rarely erupts into a pattern that disrupts your ability to live your life as you know it. Instead, it lingers in the background, insidious, responsible for a variety of problems that it can be nigh-on impossible to track it as the root cause of.
However, you can know your enemy – but you have to understand the quiet, often understated, ways that stress can manifest itself. Here are five surprising signs that stress has taken ahold of you, all of which should be enough to make you take action – once you know what they are.
1) Sleeplessness
We all experience the occasional night of insomnia, but when it becomes a chronic problem, it could be a sign of underlying stress. If you have tried all the usual remedies for a lack of sleep, from inhaling lavender essential oils to inspecting a pocket spring mattress guide to ensure your bed is as comfy as possible, with no success – then stress might be the cause.
2) Anger
Finding yourself quick to anger is a surefire sign of a bad relationship with stress. When we’re being tested in such a way, we often struggle to cope with our emotions. This, in turn, leads to fits of unfettered anger at relatively little provocation.
3) Hair Loss
We all lose hair; around 50 hairs per day, in fact. If you begin to notice a higher loss after washing your hair or see a telltale widening gap in your parting, then this could be a sign of chronic stress.
4) Teeth Problems
It’s not actually your teeth that are suffering here, but more a symptom of the real problem – which is teeth grinding. You might not even notice you’re grinding your teeth or have a clenched jaw, but it’s definitely an issue when you’re experiencing an undue amount of stress. If you have a sudden spike in your experience of tooth infections or jaw pain, then stress rather than your oral hygiene routine might be the cause.
5) Falling Ill More Often
Do you tend to get every ‘bug’ that goes around? Find winter a time when it’s easier to count the weeks you don’t have a cold, rather than the times you do? Recurrent mild-to-moderate illnesses are a sign your immune system is struggling. Why might your immune system be struggling? Stress, of course.
All of the above can be the little signs that stress is becoming an issue for you, so don’t delay – visit a doctor and get set onto the course of action to ease your condition, as soon as possible.
