<p>Stress is a normal reaction that is a part of life. Stress manifests itself in different ways. Initially, stress activates our flight or flight response. Chronic stress can build into as tension, irritability and even depression. </p>

What is Stress?

<p>Our 'fight or flight' response is just our body's way of handling the stress that we are facing. We become more alert and ready to protect ourselves if necessary. </p>

What is 'fight or flight'?

<ul><li>easily frustrated or agitated</li><li>feeling overwhelmed</li><li>low energy </li><li>headaches</li><li>insomnia</li><li>inability to focus</li><li>being pessimistic </li><li>constant worry </li><li>not eating or eating too much</li><li>procrastinating </li><li>more nervous behaviors( nail biting, pacing etc) </li><li>increased use of alcohol, cigarettes or drugs</li></ul>

Symptoms of Stress

<p>Depression, anxiety, heart disease, high blood pressure, heart attacks, strokes, eating disorders, acne, hair loss, eczema, gastroinestinal problems (GErD, irritable colon etc) </p>

Consequences to Long-Term Stress

<ol><li>Exercise </li><li>Yoga</li><li>Meditation</li><li>Cuddling, hugging etc </li><li>Reading</li><li>Crying </li><li>Talking about it, implement a plan to deal with the stressor</li></ol>

Stress Relievers

<p>Did the tips here help you? If so, like 👍</p><p>When I'm stressed, I use a combination of cuddling, reading and talking about it   </p>

Final Thoughts

<img src="https://img.webmd.com/dtmcms/live/webmd/consumer_assets/site_images/article_thumbnails/blog_posts/migraine/1800x1200_getty_rf_woman_holding_head.jpg?resize=*:*&amp;output-quality=50" alt="photo of woman holding head" width="707" height="471"><div data-v-5fff061f="" dir="ltr"><div data-v-5fff061f="" dir="ltr"><a data-v-5fff061f="" dir="ltr"> What Is Stress? </a></div><div data-v-5fff061f="" dir="ltr"><a data-v-5fff061f="" dir="ltr"> What Are the Symptoms of Stress? </a></div><div data-v-5fff061f="" dir="ltr"><a data-v-5fff061f="" dir="ltr"> What Are the Consequences of Long-Term Stress? </a></div><div data-v-5fff061f="" dir="ltr"><a data-v-5fff061f="" dir="ltr"> Help Is Available for Stress </a></div></div><p dir="ltr">Stress affects us all. You may notice <a crosslinktype="Article" link_friendlyurl="/webmd/consumer_assets/controlled_content/healthwise/special/stress_management-measuring_stress_special_ta4301.xml" href="https://www.webmd.com/webmd/consumer_assets/controlled_content/healthwise/special/stress_management-measuring_stress_special_ta4301.xml" dir="ltr">symptoms of stress</a> when disciplining your kids, during busy times at work, when managing your finances, or when coping with a challenging relationship. Stress is everywhere. And while a little stress is OK -- some stress is actually beneficial -- too much stress can wear you down and make you sick, both mentally and physically.</p><p>The first step to controlling stress is to know the symptoms of stress. But recognizing stress symptoms may be harder than you think. Most of us are so used to being stressed, we often don't know we are stressed until we are at the breaking point.</p><div>ADVERTISEMENT</div><h2>What Is Stress?</h2><p dir="ltr">Stress is the body's reaction to harmful situations -- whether they’re real or perceived. When you feel threatened, a chemical reaction occurs in your body that allows you to act in a way to prevent injury. This reaction is known as "fight-or-flight” or the stress response. During the stress response, your <a crosslinktype="Article" link_friendlyurl="/webmd/consumer_assets/controlled_content/healthwise/medicaltest/pulse_measurement_medicaltest_hw233473.xml" href="https://www.webmd.com/webmd/consumer_assets/controlled_content/healthwise/medicaltest/pulse_measurement_medicaltest_hw233473.xml" dir="ltr">heart rate</a> increases, breathing quickens, muscles tighten, and <a crosslinktype="Article" link_friendlyurl="https://www.webmd.com/hypertension-high-blood-pressure/guide/diastolic-and-systolic-blood-pressure-know-your-numbers" href="https://www.webmd.com/hypertension-high-blood-pressure/guide/diastolic-and-systolic-blood-pressure-know-your-numbers" dir="ltr">blood pressure</a> rises. You’ve gotten ready to act. It is how you protect yourself.</p><p>Stress means different things to different people. What causes stress in one person may be of little concern to another. Some people are better able to handle stress than others. And, not all stress is bad. In small doses, stress can help you accomplish tasks and prevent you from getting hurt. For example, stress is what gets you to slam on the brakes to avoid hitting the car in front of you. That's a good thing.</p><p>Our bodies are designed to handle small doses of stress. But, we are not equipped to handle long-term, chronic stress without ill consequences.</p><h2>What Are the Symptoms of Stress?</h2><p>Stress can affect all parts of your life, including your emotions, behaviors, thinking ability, and physical health. No part of the body is immune. But, because people handle stress differently, symptoms of stress can vary. Symptoms can be vague and may be the same as those caused by medical conditions. So it is important to discuss them with your doctor. You may have any of the following symptoms of stress.</p><p dir="ltr"><b dir="ltr">Emotional symptoms </b>of stress include<b dir="ltr">:</b></p><UL><LI>Becoming easily agitated, frustrated, and moody</LI><LI>Feeling overwhelmed, as if you are losing control or need to take control</LI><LI>Having a hard time relaxing and quieting your mind</LI><LI>Feeling bad about yourself (low self-esteem), and feeling lonely, worthless, and depressed</LI><LI>Avoiding others</LI></UL><p dir="ltr"><b dir="ltr">Physical symptoms </b>of stress include:</p><UL><LI>Low energy</LI><LI>Aches, pains, and tense muscles</LI><LI><a crosslinktype="Article" link_friendlyurl="https://www.webmd.com/pain-management/guide/whats-causing-my-chest-pain" href="https://www.webmd.com/pain-management/guide/whats-causing-my-chest-pain" dir="ltr">Chest pain</a> and rapid heartbeat</LI><LI>Frequent <a crosslinktype="Article" link_friendlyurl="https://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/default.htm" href="https://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/default.htm" dir="ltr">colds</a> and infections</LI><LI>Loss of sexual desire and/or ability</LI><LI>Nervousness and shaking, <a crosslinktype="Article" link_friendlyurl="https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/understanding-tinnitus-basics" href="https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/understanding-tinnitus-basics" dir="ltr">ringing in the ears</a>, and cold or sweaty hands and feet</LI><LI><a crosslinktype="Article" link_friendlyurl="https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/dental-health-dry-mouth" href="https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/dental-health-dry-mouth" dir="ltr">Dry mouth</a> and a hard time swallowing</LI><LI>Clenched jaw and grinding <a crosslinktype="Article" link_friendlyurl="https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/picture-of-the-teeth" href="https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/picture-of-the-teeth" dir="ltr">teeth</a></LI></UL><p dir="ltr"><b dir="ltr">Cognitive symptoms </b>of stress include:</p>

Stress is a natural reaction to what life throws at you. Learn about it. 

Stress can seriously affect your body and mind. Learn more from WebMD about our response to stress, both healthy and unhealthy.

personaldevelopment

Personal Development

health

Health

mentalhealth

Mental Health

communication

Communication

<p>Stress affects us all. You may notice <a href="https://www.webmd.com/webmd/consumer_assets/controlled_content/healthwise/special/stress_management-measuring_stress_special_ta4301.xml">symptoms of stress </a>when disciplining your kids, during busy times at work, when managing your finances, or when coping with a challenging relationship. Stress is everywhere. And while a little stress is OK -- some stress is actually beneficial -- too much stress can wear you down and make you sick, both mentally and physically. </p>

<p>The first step to controlling stress is to know the symptoms of stress. But recognizing stress symptoms may be harder than you think. Most of us are so used to being stressed, we often don't know we are stressed until we are at the breaking point. </p>

<p>Stress is the body's reaction to harmful situations -- whether they’re real or perceived. When you feel threatened, a chemical reaction occurs in your body that allows you to act in a way to prevent injury. This reaction is known as "fight-or-flight” or the stress response. During the stress response, your <a href="https://www.webmd.com/webmd/consumer_assets/controlled_content/healthwise/medicaltest/pulse_measurement_medicaltest_hw233473.xml">heart rate </a>increases, breathing quickens, muscles tighten, and <a href="https://www.webmd.com/hypertension-high-blood-pressure/guide/diastolic-and-systolic-blood-pressure-know-your-numbers">blood pressure </a>rises. You’ve gotten ready to act. It is how you protect yourself. </p>

<p>Stress means different things to different people. What causes stress in one person may be of little concern to another. Some people are better able to handle stress than others. And, not all stress is bad. In small doses, stress can help you accomplish tasks and prevent you from getting hurt. For example, stress is what gets you to slam on the brakes to avoid hitting the car in front of you. That's a good thing. </p>

<p>Our bodies are designed to handle small doses of stress. But, we are not equipped to handle long-term, chronic stress without ill consequences. </p>

<p>Stress can affect all parts of your life, including your emotions, behaviors, thinking ability, and physical health. No part of the body is immune. But, because people handle stress differently, symptoms of stress can vary. Symptoms can be vague and may be the same as those caused by medical conditions. So it is important to discuss them with your doctor. You may have any of the following symptoms of stress. </p>

<p><b>Emotional symptoms </b>of stress include<b>: </b> </p>

<ul><li>Becoming easily agitated, frustrated, and moody </li><li>Feeling overwhelmed, as if you are losing control or need to take control </li><li>Having a hard time relaxing and quieting your mind </li><li>Feeling bad about yourself (low self-esteem), and feeling lonely, worthless, and depressed </li><li>Avoiding others </li> </ul>

<p><b>Physical symptoms </b>of stress include: </p>

<ul><li>Low energy </li><li>Aches, pains, and tense muscles </li><li><a href="https://www.webmd.com/pain-management/guide/whats-causing-my-chest-pain">Chest pain </a>and rapid heartbeat </li><li>Frequent <a href="https://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/default.htm">colds </a>and infections </li><li>Loss of sexual desire and/or ability </li><li>Nervousness and shaking, <a href="https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/understanding-tinnitus-basics">ringing in the ears </a>, and cold or sweaty hands and feet </li><li><a href="https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/dental-health-dry-mouth">Dry mouth </a>and a hard time swallowing </li><li>Clenched jaw and grinding <a href="https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/picture-of-the-teeth">teeth </a> </li> </ul>

<p><b>Cognitive symptoms </b>of stress include: </p>

Stress Symptoms: Effects of Stress on the Body

What is Stress?

What is 'fight or flight'?

Symptoms of Stress

Consequences to Long-Term Stress

Stress Relievers

Final Thoughts

Julia Gwen's ideas are part of this journey:

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