Signs of Stress and How to Help Yourself

Symptoms of Stress 

There are many symptoms of stress to pay attention to.  The signs and symptoms fall into four main categories:  Thoughts, Feelings, Behavior, and Physiology.  Some of the signs to watch for include:

Thoughts
Low Self-Esteem
Inability to concentrate
Fear of Failure
Embarrassing easily
Constant worry about the future
Forgetfulness
Feelings
 

Feeling moody
Feeling irritable
Feeling scared
Feeling anxious
Behavior
Frequent crying
Acting impulsively
Grinding your teeth
Loss of appetite or overeating
Being accident prone
Increased use of alcohol or drugs
Increased smoking
Being easily startled
Increased procrastination
Being easily provoked to anger
Physiology
 

?         Sleeping problems

?         Increased fatigue

?         Indigestion, diarrhea, vomiting

?         Premenstrual tension

?         Pain in the lower back or neck

?         Headaches

?         Frequent illness

?         Increased perspiration

?         Rapid heartbeat

?         Trembling

?         Nervous ticks

?         Dryness of throat and mouth

?         Frequent urination

Self Help Tips
There are many things a person can do that help in coping with or reducing stress.  Here are some things you can do to help yourself:

?         Become aware of how you react to stress.

?         Use positive self-statements that reinforce your ?good? reactions.

?         Pay more attention to your good qualities and your positive accomplishments.

?         Avoid unnecessary competition.

?         Exercise regularly (even casual walking can help).

?         Set realistic positive goals.

?Practice relaxation techniques. (One technique is to simply focus on your breathing-take long slow deep breaths when you feel stressed).

?Eat a balanced diet, take meals at regular intervals (don?t skip meals).

?Use prayer or meditation on a regular basis.

?Schedule your time wisely-include time for relaxation and recreation.

?Get a hobby that has little to do with your normal work life.

?Be realistic about how you are handling stress.  Seek professional help when needed.

For more information, or to schedule an appointment, please call our office at

402-461-3404.

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