Stress is something that you learn to live with on a daily basis. You may think that you’ve got everything under control, but at times your body will show telltale signs that the pressure may be a little too much. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, then you may want to take a step back and give yourself a break:
1. Chronic tension headaches
Tension headaches are the most common kind of headaches, which are often caused by emotional stress, eye strain, and poor posture. Pain can radiate anywhere from your neck to your head or the area behind your eyes and your temples. You may take over the counter pain relievers to alleviate them, but it’s recommended to give yourself time to rest, especially if you’ve been working on your computer for long periods.
2. A painful jaw
Have you ever felt that your jaw or cheeks are ngalay, and you can't tell exactly why? You may be teeth grinding while you sleep at night. According to WebMD, teeth grinding, also known as bruxism, is commonly caused by stress and anxiety, and can be a symptom of sleep disorder. Although teeth grinding in itself doesn’t pose much of a threat, it can cause oral problems and “wear teeth down to stumps.” Dentists offer teeth guards to those who suffer from nightly bruxism, but other things you can do to do away with it is to avoid alcohol and lessen your caffeine intake. You can also relax your jaw muscles by pressing a warm compress against your cheek.
3. Stomach problems
The feeling of nausea partnered by a suddenly bad stomach has probably caused you to run to the restroom more times that you can count. This is because strong emotions such as anxiety and stress can indeed affect you physically and push your body into overdrive. “These physiological and neuroendocrine chances associated with emotion influence all aspects of our body, including the digestive system,” says associate psychology professor Tracy A. Dennis, PhD of the Hunter College in New York. “These physical responses can start and stop quite suddenly and be very intense.”
If you feel that your stomach issues are caused by stress, allow yourself to pause and take deep, calming breaths. If you have the time, meditate, or do several stretching exercises that will help loosen your muscles.
4. Painful menstrual periods
Stress can affect how much of a painful hassle your monthly visitor will be. According to a study featured on MedicineNet.com, dysmenorrhea is twice as common with women in highly stressful environments than with women who are in more relaxed venues. It’s been also proven that stress can cause missed or delayed periods.
According to Everyday Health, “Stress certainly plays a role in suppressing the functioning of the hypothalamus, which controls the pituitary gland – the body’s master gland – which, in turn controls the thyroid and adrenal glands and ovaries; they all work together to manage hormones.”
Similar to the previous numbers, managing stress through relaxing, exercising, and avoiding alcohol can help get your period back on track. If you feel that you cannot handle the pressure alone, and your anxieties are affecting other aspects of your life, talk to a friend or someone who can help.
