It sounds like you might have some first-hand experience with how stress can affect your health. You didn’t say what inspired you to write, but when I talk with people about stress, some of the most common physical symptoms they report include:
- Neck tension
- Back pain
- Digestive issues
- Headaches
- Insomnia
- Changes in appetite or body weight
The American Psychological Association (APA) confirms that stress affects every system of the body, including the musculoskeletal, respiratory, cardiovascular, endocrine, gastrointestinal, nervous and reproductive systems. Depression is associated with similar symptoms, especially chronic pain, gastrointestinal problems, sleep and appetite disturbances, and anxiety can produce all of those symptoms, plus a racing heartbeat, shortness of breath, dizziness and restlessness.
That’s a tough list, and if you’re already stressed out, the last thing you need is to feel tense, tired, queasy, constipated, hormonal and more vulnerable to getting sick. So, what can you do about it?
