How to Identify Stress

Body

What to look for:

Below are just some of the many signs and symptoms that are indicators of too much pressure that can come from yourself, work, home, any combination of, or maybe even all three.

It is sometimes easier for someone else to recognise stress in you, but not always so straightforward to recognise it yourself. It is easy to say the symptoms will go away, but they may not. Go and see your GP if the number of symptoms increase/change, become more frequent, get worse or are long lasting.

You can find all this information in our free downloads section How to Identify Stress here.

PSYCHOLOGICAL SIGNS

Inability to concentrate or make simple decisions
Memory lapses
Becoming rather vague
Easily distracted
Less intuitive & creative
Undue worrying / racing thoughts
Feeling overwhelmed, unmotivated, or unfocused
Depression & anxiety
Negative thinking
Insomnia or waking still tired
Prone to accidents

EMOTIONAL SIGNS

Tearful
Irritable
Mood swings
Extra sensitive to criticism
Defensive
Feeling out of control
Lack of motivation
Angry
Frustrated
Lack of confidence
Lack of self-esteem

PHYSICAL SIGNS

Aches/pains & muscle tension/grinding teeth
Frequent colds/infections
Allergies/rashes/skin irritations
Constipation/diarrhoea/IBS
Weight loss or gain
Indigestion/heartburn/ulcers
Hyperventilating/lump in the throat/pins & needles
Dizziness/palpitations
Nervousness or shaking uncontrollably
Panic attacks/nausea
Cold or sweaty hands and feet
Physical tiredness
Menstrual changes/loss of libido/sexual problems
Heart problems/high blood pressure

BEHAVIOURAL SIGNS

No time for relaxation or pleasurable activities
Prone to accidents, forgetfulness
Increased reliance on alcohol, smoking, caffeine, recreational or illegal drugs
Becoming a workaholic
Poor time management and/or poor standards of work
Absenteeism
Self neglect/change in appearance
Social withdrawal
Relationship problems
Insomnia or waking tired
Aggressive/anger outbursts
Nervous
Uncharacteristically lying

Wellbeing & Resilience at Work Training Programme

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