6 Signs Someone Is Too Stressed (And Doesn’t Know It)

The demands of life can get the best of us. Your job is killing you, you’re $30,000 in debt, and nobody’s swiping right on your Tinder profile. It’s no wonder more than half of Americans are moderately stressed, with a quarter being highly frazzled.

Chronic negative stress will eventually destroy your body, and, in spite of what you may think, humans are so good at carrying on in the face of adversity that sometimes you don’t even notice stress. So open up your eyes and see these not-so-obvious signs of stress before it ruins your wonderful life.

Here Are the Six Signs of  Too Much Stress

1. Crying, Mood Swings And No Energy

Our modern lives are chock-full of stressful events. But when you reach your breaking point, it's time to check in on your emotional well-being. "Emotional signs of stress can include difficulty concentrating, frequent tearfulness and mood swings, disorganization, difficulty making decisions and a general lack of energy," says Sudeepta Varma, MD, a board certified psychiatrist and clinical assistant professor of psychiatry at the NYU Langone Medical Center. Keep in mind that these stress signs can also be related to other psychological problems, so it's important to see your doctor and find out if your symptoms are, in fact, stress-related.

2. Insomnia

You’re exhausted at the end of the day, but when you finally retire for the night, you spend hours staring at the ceiling. At last, you drift off (hopefully), but you toss and turn all night. When you wake up the next morning, you’re just as tired as you were before.

“When we’re stressed,” says Lindsay Holmes, Deputy Healthy Living Editor for The Huffington Post, “our minds race with thoughts instead of shutting down at night, inhibiting important functions involved in memory, muscle repair and mood (yikes).”

It gets worse, says Holmes. It can also lead to persistent insomnia and a malfunctioning immune system (which explains that nagging cold I get each year). Weird dreams are also a common symptom—such as that time my subconscious explored the ins and outs of PowerPoint, which was super riveting and enlightening.

3. Overthinking

Your hours may be nine to five, but your mind is occupied with work 24/7. During your commute, while eating dinner, when you’re trying to fall asleep, in your dreams—you know the drill. It’s the sole topic of conversation when talking with friends and family, and the only thing you can think about when you’re pretending to listen to them (smile, nod, smile, nod).

I’m not saying you should limit every thought about it to specific days and times—you’re not a robot (if you are, though, no judgment here). But as Adrian Granzella Larssen, Editor-in Chief of The Daily Muse says, “bringing too much work home—even if that work is just rolling around in your head—can quickly make you an anxious, sleep-deprived, pretty boring dinner guest.” And no one wants that!

4. Concentrating Troubles

When you’re too overwhelmed to focus on what’s in front of you, or you can’t remember simple things like a coworker’s name, it could be a sign you’re overworked. Research has connected long-term exposure to excess amounts of cortisol to shrinking of the hippocampus, the brain’s memory center, says Tuit. Studies have shown that long-term stress stimulates growth of the proteins that might cause Alzheimer’s disease.

5. Weight Gain

Although stress reactions are more commonly associated with weight gain, a minority of individuals experience fluctuating weight – and even weight loss. That said, elevated levels of cortisol “has been shown to up appetite, drive craving or “junk” food, and make it (easier) to accumulate belly fat.”

6. Stomach Issues

As mentioned, stress reactions can throw the digestive system through a loop. Relatedly, stomach problems are among the most commonly cited symptoms of those with high stress levels. Nausea, indigestion, cramps and aches are all potential stomach-related problems resulting from a stress reaction.

Sources:

https://www.sharecare.com/health/stress-reduction/slideshow/8-warning-signs-of-too-much-stress#slide-2

https://www.forbes.com/sites/dailymuse/2016/06/22/5-signs-youre-way-too-stressed-and-you-dont-even-know-it/2/#728d0981a1b0

https://www.themuse.com/advice/5-signs-youre-way-too-stressed-and-you-dont-even-know-it

https://www.powerofpositivity.com/signs-someone-is-too-stressed/