Mental Stress

We have heard it many times that when we are under stress it is important to recognize the root cause or the source of the problem. Once the problem is identified, it becomes easy to give solutions like interpersonal therapy to help with the problem. However, this is not an easy task. Today we are used to live with stress that we do not know how to identify the same. We can never make out that we are under stress as we get used to live with it.

If you are experiencing short-term stress or have been under stress for a long time, your mind and body will show the effects. There are some warning signs that can help you understand if you are under stress.

Prominent Signs of Short-term Stress

It may appear like instant ‘bursts’ primarily as a reaction to any incident that happens in your surrounding. A great way of dealing or eliminating is seen with yoga benefits. This type of short-term stress can impact the overall well being in various ways. Some ways how they can affect are

•    Heart beat is faster than usual
•    More sweating
•    Cold hands and feet
•    Feeling of sick stomach like butterflies moving in your stomach
•    Muscles get tightened and you feel really tense
•    Dry mouth
•    Frequent visit to the bathroom
•    Increase in fatigue and headaches along with shortness of breath

This type of bust of energy can help you in situations where you need them. However, if this is going to be permanent then it can have bad effects on your overall performance and mind especially in cases where there is no outlet for your stress. The negative effects may include:

This can interfere with your decision making and let you take incorrect decisions
•    Your level of enjoyment comes down and you may feel really bad.
•    Difficulty in concentration or easily getting distracted
•    A feeling of anxiety and frustration
•    You will be afraid of free time and may not be able to concentrate on your work.

Mental Signs of Long-term Stress

The stress occurs over the long period of time can have a negative effect on your mind and body. Stress that stays for long can affect your body in the following ways

•    Creates a change in your appetite thereby making you eat either more or less
•    Change in sleep schedule. You may either sleep too less or sleep too much
•    Long term stress can encourage ‘nervous’ behavior like talking too much, twitching, nail biting, fiddling, teeth grinding and other habits that are repetitive in nature.
•    You may be more prone to flu or cold and also get attacks of headaches and asthma
•    Not interested in sex life and performance
•    You may feel worn out and tired

Stress that stays for long can also cause serious effects on your behavior and mental health. When you are under stress you may find it difficult to think clearly and cannot deal with problems so easily.

•    You may feel anxious that can also lead to panic attacks
•    You may lose control and feel confused and overwhelmed thereby unable to make decisions.
•    You may experience changes in mood like frustration, depression, helplessness, anger and irritability,

While short term stress can be settled within few days, it is the long term stress that needs immediate attention and care. Realizing that you are under stress is the first step towards the treatment of the same.