Know the common symptoms of stress

14 October, 2012

Stress is a common problem experienced by many of us in our day to day life due to different sources such as relationship, money, and work. The symptoms of stress are unavoidable and hard to understand, as they can vary widely from loss of appetite to chronic pains and anything in between.

THE INTENSITY of stress varies from person to person but if you can spot the symptoms of stress then you can manage stress. Usually, we are aware about when we are stressed out, but sometimes stress takes us by surprise and sometimes the symptoms of stress mislead us and we think that we are not feeling well. When the heart beats at a faster pace then it is not a sign of heart disease, but it is caused due to the stress hormones which stimulate the heart to beat faster, so that it can pump extra oxygen to the organs and muscles so that we can fight or run away from the cause of stress.

Usually, stress stimulates the sympathetic nervous system, known as the accelerator and increases the level of stress hormones in the blood stream whereas the relaxation stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system and decreases the level of stress hormones in the blood stream. Learning the symptoms of stress helps in management of stress. The symptoms of stress can be physical, emotional, cognitive and behavioral.

The physical symptoms of stress include headache, low energy, diarrhea, constipation, nausea, stomach upset, body aches, chest pain with rapid heart beat, feeling cold, insomnia, loss of sexual desire, dry mouth, difficulty in swallowing, nervousness and shivering. The emotional symptoms of stress are frustration, feeling overwhelmed, feeling bad about yourself, depressed, lonely and avoiding others.

The cognitive symptoms of stress include racing thoughts, poor judgment, constant worrying, inability to focus, forgetfulness and always taking the negative side of anything. Finally, the behavioral symptoms of stress include changes in appetite, becoming addicted to alcohol/ drug/ cigarettes, avoiding responsibilities and exhibiting nervous behavior such as nail biting, and pacing.

We have discussed some of the symptoms of stress, but there are also some ways to reduce stress and one of them includes food. Eating the right kind of food helps in reducing stress, says some studies. Stress also increases the cellular activity which leads to lack of nutrients in the body, so a diet which is rich in nutrients can combat the affect of stress on the body.

The diet which is loaded with antioxidants and minerals helps in decreasing anxiety and pressure that are caused by stress. Some nutritionists and dietitians suggest that consuming a diet rich in nutrients five to six times a day helps in reducing stress. Here is the list of food that helps in stress management.

Fruits and green vegetables – these are good source of vitamins, minerals and fibers and stabilizes your system. Especially pumpkins, nuts and sunflower seeds are anti-stress agents.

Milk – it is a good source of calcium, potassium and magnesium which helps in fighting stress.

Oatmeal breakfast – oatmeal is a rich source of carbohydrates and helps in producing serotonin, which is known as a calming hormone.

Dark Chocolate – it is a good source of flavinoids, which are known for their calming properties.

Fish and eggs – fish is abundant in omega-3 fatty acids, which helps in increasing the serotonin levels in the body. And the eggs contains panathonic acid which is known as anti-stress vitamin.