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    5 signs your body is under too much stress

    24 Aug 2020 2:29 PM | Posted by
    Lucy Bode's picture
    Lucy Bode
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    If you’re reading this, chances are high that you’ve been feeling stretched thin on multiple fronts lately (overflowing inbox? Check. Nightmare boss? Check. Family dramz? Check, check, check.) But while a little bit of stress is a given (espesh in the midst of a global pandemic) there are certain physical and emotional cues that warrant an immediate chill pill.

    'Stress is your body’s response to mental or emotional pressure, hormones and chemicals are released that prepare you for physical action – a fight or flight reaction – which can have very uncomfortable side effects,' explains Dr Jo Gee, founder of women’s health and wellbeing directory The Luna Hive.

    While the severity of these symptoms vary from person to person, there are a few subtle signs you’re on a one-way ticket to burnout.

    Below, we break it down…

    Chronic tiredness

    It’s all too tempting to hit the snooze button 15 times when you’re recovering from a big weekend. But if you’re getting the recommended 7-8 hours of shut-eye per night and still feeling drained on the daily, there’s probably more at play.

    Source: Getty

    Muscle pain

    Ever noticed how your whole body tenses up when you watch a scary movie? Essentially, the same thing occurs with chronic stress. You see, stress alters our adrenaline and hormone levels which can impact the muscles and nerves, resulting in soreness or stiffness in the shoulders, back and neck. Not ideal.

    Frequent illnesses

    It’s an unfortunate fact, but it’s totally true: stress weakens the immune system and makes us vulnerable to catching any nasties going around (e.g. colds and bacterial infections.) What’s more? When we’re rundown, it’s harder for the body to fight off these illnesses. Meaning we’re sicker more often and for longer too.

    Weight gain

    Maybe too much caffeine is the culprit (this, btw, promotes insulin problems.) Maybe it’s that family-sized block of Cadbury Top Deck you’ve become emotionally dependent on (coz comfort food). But did you know that just thinking about a stressful event in the future can cause you to eat more by increasing your levels of ghrelin (aka, the ‘hunger hormone?’) Food for thought.

    Source: Getty

    Have you ever suffered from burnout? 

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    51 Member Comments

    Wn0873 25 Aug 2020 9:15 PM

    My body always tells me when I'm not coping with things as well as I think I am.

    Ethelinde 25 Aug 2020 7:49 PM

    I feel tired all the time. I get enough sleep but it is probably not quality. Stage 4 lockdown really sucks but we're halfway through!

    Gilded 25 Aug 2020 4:04 PM

    I lost 2 kg during isolation so I guess I'm the opposite of stressed? Lol but I've been snacking more so I'm not sure why the weight loss.

    S-P 25 Aug 2020 1:50 PM

    I'm so aware of the dangers of stress so I always try and keep everything in perspective. Do what I can and not overdo things.

    jupiter 25 Aug 2020 12:17 PM

    I do get very tense neck and shoulders from working a desk job, but nothing as serious as in the article. Good to be aware of the signs.

    Lawliet 25 Aug 2020 11:54 AM

    I am always stiff and sore in my shoulders!

    LadyLola 25 Aug 2020 9:46 AM

    A constant battle for me!

    Ellyloves 28 Aug 2020 3:05 PM

    I hope you are doing ok!

    clearcrystalwater 25 Aug 2020 9:38 AM

    Yes - simple answer to that!! : /

    Nicoler112 25 Aug 2020 6:42 AM

    Good article at the moment. I don't know anyone who isn't a bit stressed about something at the moment. The pandemic is really hitting people in many different ways. What a disaster of a year. For me it's been trying to go about a career change and big plans I had this year, whilst not pretending it would have been easier to just put it all on hold, though it was a bit of a now or never situation. At least in my mind. It will all work out, it's just a bit stressful in the meantime.

    Tee631 24 Aug 2020 10:50 PM

    Always stressed during this time of pandemic

    Ellyloves 28 Aug 2020 3:03 PM

    Hope you are doing ok!

    Rose_P 24 Aug 2020 8:54 PM

    I am feeling stressed. Lots of reasons. Long term serious illness is probably the main reason, and this dreadful COVID isn’t helping either.

    ubd2u 24 Aug 2020 7:42 PM

    Good article, unfortunately I am an eater

    Miss19 24 Aug 2020 6:45 PM

    I swear I was born stressed, it's something I've always had a hard time dealing with. When I'm stressed my eczema gets worse and I'll also get headaches.

    Lisa359 24 Aug 2020 5:39 PM

    I try not to burnout!, I do have trouble sleeping occasionally though.

    onlyoni 24 Aug 2020 5:22 PM

    I suppose when I was working and running my own business I was stressed at times but these days I have nothing to stress over.

    Meedee 24 Aug 2020 5:01 PM

    I cant handle too much stress. It makes me sick. Thankfully im good at staying calm so it take a bit to tip me over the edge.

    Yohanna 24 Aug 2020 4:30 PM

    Can't relate. Love my sleep, plenty of fresh fruits and fresh air. Life is great!

    IndieAna 24 Aug 2020 4:29 PM

    Seems like I'm always tired, but living with anxiety is the main cause

    Frenchy1 24 Aug 2020 4:07 PM

    Def overeat when tired. Better to nap than snack!

    lindylou 24 Aug 2020 3:55 PM

    I always feel tired (snoring husband probably mainly to blame!) and I tend to comfort eat when stressed or bored. Luckily I don't have too many stresses really.

    Jess328 24 Aug 2020 3:52 PM

    Sounds just like me...always tired, aching shoulders and hips and feel like I always have a cold of some kind.

    Hayley644 24 Aug 2020 3:41 PM

    I usually always feel tired despite getting 7-8 hours sleep each night and not being iron deficient. I get a lot of neck pain if I'm stressed and I tend to lose weight as I eat less when I'm stressed.

    Margi59 24 Aug 2020 3:18 PM

    Suffering from Chronic tiredness and aches and pains but I also suffer from Fibromyalgia and I am going to see my Doctor regarding the Chronic tiredness. Unfortunately Fibromyalgia has so many symptoms as well as that I have iron deficiency anaemia as well. But I fight On to get much more accomplished throughout the day.

    We all are fighting through different stresses in our lives. No one really knows or understands what others are going through. But we can understand with kindness.

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