As a result of the busy lives people live nowadays, it is no wonder why they are feeling very stressed, nervous and anxious. These symptoms can be prompted by a number of events and cause severe physical, mental and emotional changes in individuals.

In general, when a person experiences stress or anxiety of any kind, their body produces larger amounts of various chemicals that trigger different physical and emotional reactions. Some of the most prominent ones include irritability, fatigue and persistent worries which don’t go away easily and affect the individual’s ability to respond to a potentially hazardous or challenging situation.

That’s why many people often seek help from licensed therapists either at the nearest hospital or through a digital clinic to learn new coping techniques to relieve the symptoms so they can go on with their day-to-day activities with less stress.

Here are some common signs and symptoms of stress and anxiety.

Decreased hearing

Hearing is an integral part of people’s lives which allows them to connect with the world around them. Unfortunately, it can be quickly affected by chronic stress, causing an overproduction of adrenaline which will reduce blood flow to the ears. The buildup of daily stress can disturb blood circulation in the body and damage the fragile hair cells in the inner ear permanently, leading to hearing loss.

If stress has affected your hearing, you can improve it with the help of a hearing aid device. There are many reputable brands such as the Unitron hearing aids which include advanced features that can help you hear better instantly, gradually reducing the stress symptoms.

Increased heart rate

When a person is experiencing an anxiety attack, their body reacts in ways that put an extra strain on their heart. This usually causes increased heart rate, palpitations and chest pain which can lead to severe cardiovascular diseases such as high blood pressure, heart attack or stroke if they keep going.

The consequences can even be fatal if you are already suffering from heart disease because anxiety disorders may raise the risk of coronary events.

Accompanied with rapid heart rate, there may be symptoms of fear, panic and uncertainty which can have a major impact on recovery afterward.

Disrupted menstrual cycle in women

Irregular or missed cycles, more painful periods and changes in the length of cycles are other common indications of stress in women. The reason for such health issues is because stress suppresses the functioning of the hypothalamus which controls the pituitary glands, which, in turn, control the thyroid and adrenal glands and the ovaries.

Alongside these basic signs of a disrupted menstrual cycle, there are also other symptoms such as fatigue, irritability, tender breasts, food cravings and mood swings, all of which are indications of premenstrual syndrome (PMS).  

Lack of sleep

Lack of sleep is probably the biggest sign that you are suffering from stress and anxiety. When you are under stress, you find yourself constantly tossing and turning at night, which affects your overall sleep quality and leads to severe sleep disorders such as insomnia.

And, if you don’t get the recommended seven to nine hours of sleep every night, you would most likely wake up feeling grumpy, with lower energy levels and greater anxiety which can further lead to a general inability to function as usual.

A great way to get a good night’s sleep and reduce stress and anxiety symptoms is to employ a relaxation technique such as mindful meditation before bed.

Acne, eczema and psoriasis

Skin breakouts are a very common sign of long-term stress. When you experience stress, your skin becomes more sensitive and reactive due to the higher levels of cortisol. This hormone basically tells the glands in your skin to produce more oil and excessive production of oil leads to various skin problems such as acne, psoriasis and eczema.

Besides such severe skin conditions, stress can also cause other visible signs such as bags under your eyes and wrinkles. Although they become more common with age due to the weakening of the supporting muscles around your eyes, stress also takes part.

Appetite changes and weight gain

While stress may make you have less of an appetite at first, it can actually impact your ability to maintain a healthy weight. The truth is most people become overeaters when they are anxious or under stress as a result of the higher levels of the stress hormone cortisol which turns overeating into a habit. This causes higher insulin levels which drop your blood sugar and make you crave sugary, fatty foods.

Therefore, instead of eating a salad or a banana, you are more likely to reach for comfort foods such as cookies, cake and other unhealthy snacks.

Final thoughts

No matter how hard people try, everyone experiences some form of stress or anxiety over time. These can have serious consequences on the physical, mental and emotional health of a person, especially if not treated properly and on time.

However, the first step to receiving the right treatment is recognizing the signs of stress and anxiety and then finding the best mechanisms to relieve the symptoms effectively.

If you want to know more about this topic, refer back to our guide and get acquainted with the most common symptoms of these health conditions.