Stress is a miserable state of being that people experience far too often. We all know how it feels. Whether it starts with frustration and ends in anger or begins with despair and progresses to giving up, the process is anything but pleasant.

What you may not know is the mental and emotional stresses you are going through are also affecting your body. Short-term this can ruin your day or maybe your week, but long-term the consequences could be more severe.

The immediate anxiety that attacks in a stressful situation can lead to an inability to focus, create anger, sadness, restless, and so on. Essentially, if you can name it, stress can probably cause it. The physical repercussions of these negative mood swings can be many.

What is the best way to combat these uncomfortable and unhealthy impacts? By being aware of the ways stress effects your body and working to counteract it, so read on!

Headaches

The metaphorical headaches that create stress can actually produce literal headaches. That’s right, the headache you came home from work with could be attributed to stress. Isn’t it much better when we leave work at work?

Fatigue

The mental and emotional fatigue is obvious. You typically come away from a stressful situation feeling drained. The exhaustion does not stop there, though. You may find yourself physically tired and unable to perform to the standard you are accustomed to.

Restlessness

It can be hard to sit still when under stress, and this can extend to your sleep. The most frustrating aspect of this physical result of stress is how it carries the stress over into the next day. There is nothing positive about tossing and turning all night, then having to get up and face a full day.

Uneasy Stomach

Stress can severely affect your digestive system, leading to stomach aches, constipation, nausea, and diarrhea. Beyond being uncomfortable and likely contributing to the state of stress you’re in, these physical effects could cause your appetite to diminish or dehydration to strike.

Tense Muscles

Whether its aches and pain or a simple tension permeating your body, stress can have a negative impact on your musculature. This can be uncomfortable on its own, which is bad enough, but can also compound the other effects of stress—headaches, for example.

Chest Pain

Everyone can name a moment when they had a tightness in their chest—chances are, that moment came at a time of extreme stress. Emotional anticipation, fight or flight, and intense sadness are a few examples of situations that may cause this feeling.

This can be scarier than any of the other physical effects of stress due to the stigma attached to chest pain, so if you are overly worried about what you are experiences, have a history of heart problems, or simply need peace of mind, don’t hesitate to contact a physician!

What Can I Do?

Balance in life is vital. Do not allow yourself to become overwhelmed and fall into a cycle of stress. You can practice balance by making sure you are taking time to exercise, socialize, participate in your hobbies, and generally just live your life.

Further, you can work to manage the negative impact of stress. Consider trying a form of relaxation such as meditation or yoga. Also, make sure you are being attentive to your body. Eat regularly and be sure to hydrate properly. When the stress has passed, your body will thank you!