Stress is your body’s way of responding to any kind of demand or threat. When you feel threatened, your nervous system responds by releasing a flood of stress hormones, including adrenaline and cortisol, which rouse the body for emergency action.
Apart from working too hard or too much, there are a couple of other things that could bring stress on without you knowing.
- DIET– There are many ways in which diet can be a stress factor for your body especially when excess sugar, toxins, caffeine and alcohol are consumed in large quantities.
- CHRONIC HEALTH ISSUES– This can increase your stress level especially those that are not easily resolved with medication or surgery and persist on an ongoing basis.
- EXERCISE– Either too much or too little exercise can be an underlying source of stress. Your body needs exercise but not so much that it spikes your stress level.
- FAMILY- Family has been known to bring on stress to anyone whether it is immediate or extended family, or close friends. Marriage or divorce, addition to the family, family changes, in-law troubles can also bring on stress.
- PRESCRIPTION OR MEDICATION– The side effects of some drugs can cause you significant stress.
- EMPLOYMENT– Changes to your employment status can bring on stress. They include; new employment, ending employment, promotion or demotion, boss/co-worker troubles, change in working hours.
Common signs to know that you’re stressed include but are not limited to:
- Headaches
- Excessive belching
- Sweaty palms
- Depression
- Increased or Decreased appetite
- Weight gain or loss
- Insomnia
- Difficulty in Concentrating
- Forgetfulness
- Increased smoking, alcohol or drug use