With chronic stress continually on the rise, it’s been considered a public health crisis across America for over five years. However, you may be surprised to know a huge majority of stressed people don’t actually realize they’re stressed. This phenomenon is commonly known as ‘iceberg stress’.
Chronic stress can be crushing and cause many severe symptoms but, if someone is experiencing stress symptoms and choosing to ignore them, this denial can cause consequences to be even worse. If you’re unsure if stress is what you’re experiencing and want to know potential causes, symptoms, and methods of self-help treatment, you’re in the right place!
Causes and symptoms
Debilitating stress can be caused by many different factors, but some of the most common include sudden life changes, relationship problems, financial difficulties or issues at work. Stress comes in many forms, so it’s essential to recognize the differences between what’s considered ‘normal’ stress and chronic, crushing stress.
When experiencing chronic stress, this is when the bodily systems start to become affected. During any type of stress response, the body can still react with the typical ‘fight or flight’ mechanism; it’s when these events are experienced on a long-term basis that chronic, more serious stress symptoms will occur.
Anxiety
Perhaps one of the most common symptoms of chronic stress, anxiety has the ability to take over all aspects of your life if you don’t take appropriate measures to both control and fix it. Capable of affecting you both physically and emotionally, it’s essential you take action as soon as you recognize if this symptom is present.
Taking time out for yourself is crucial. If you lead an exceptionally busy life this may appear impossible, but you can’t work and be busy 24 hours a day; there will always be some free time to be had. Use this time to engage in relaxing activities such as meditation and coloring, The Mandala coloring book app is a great place to start with this therapeutic, calming hobby.
Nervous habits
Constant nail biting or pacing are both sure-fire signs that you may be more stressed than you realize. If this is the case, exercise is one of the most effective methods to combat this.
Providing an outlet for any frustrations you may be feeling, exercise is also a proven mood-booster due to the endorphins it releases. Likely to eliminate nervous habits and improve your stress overall, going all-out in the gym or simply taking a daily walk can have a significantly positive effect.
Worrying
As cliché as it sounds, a problem shared is a problem halved. If you find yourself consistently worried about the same issues, talking them out with a close friend or relative will instantly feel like a weight has been lifted off your shoulders.
Whilst stress is notoriously common, many people don’t even realize they’re experiencing it chronically. But, by taking the time to look at your own symptoms and establishing how bad you’re stress really is, this is the essential first step to take towards recovery.
Charlie Harper is a therapist who dishes out prescriptions of music and art! He shares his techniques and tips for dealing with stress and the more difficult moments in life.