Symptoms of stress

Stress during working hours is a major problem in many Danish workplaces and something that affects many people on a daily basis. Stress can be experienced for short periods without any serious consequences, but if you are stressed over a longer period of time, it can have serious consequences, both for your physical and mental health. It is important to address stress as early as possible, as prolonged stress can be difficult to get rid of and can lead to anxiety and depression, as well as worsened circulation and cardiovascular disease. Therefore, it is extremely important to know the different signs of stress so that you can prevent and respond to it as soon as possible.

The symptoms of stress can be individual and the most common signs are often divided into 3 categories: physical, psychological and behavioral symptoms:

Physical symptoms of stress:

- palpitations

- Headaches

- Pain in the stomach or chest

- Constipation or diarrhea

- Weight loss or weight gain

- Fatigue and dizziness

- Difficulty breathing

- Sleep problems

- high blood pressure

Mental symptoms of stress:

- Difficulty concentrating

- Deterioration of memory

- Depressive thoughts

- anxiety

- Reduced sex drive

- Uro

- Reduced self-esteem

- racing thoughts and increased anxiety

- mood swings

Behavioral symptoms of stress:

- Increased consumption of stimulants such as coffee, alcohol, cigarettes, sweets, etc.

- Increased sick leave

- Exacerbation of bad habits

- Restlessness

- indecision

- Tendency to become irritable

- Social isolation

- Aggressiveness

Seek help for signs of stress

As the symptoms of stress are very different and individual, it is very important to know what the symptoms are and to recognize if you have signs of stress. Symptoms are your body's way of telling you that changes need to be madeso you can prevent stress during working hours.

The body's stress hormones, such as adrenaline and cortisol, are actually very beneficial for short periods of time. They are produced more in acutely stressful situations such as physical work, where the body needs to perform and needs to increase heart rate, blood pressure, burn fat and deliver more blood to the muscles. Stress hormones are also produced in situations of pressure, such as exams or discomfort. The body uses these stress hormones in acute stress, but if this condition is prolonged over a longer period of time, the body cannot handle and burn them.

Signs of stress can be difficult to deal with and it is very individual how it should be handled. Some general tips for preventing stress include prioritizing getting enough sleep and allowing yourself to take breaks and relax without too much stimuli. Many people benefit from physical activity and social interaction, which are good ways to prevent stress.

Make sure you are aware of potential stress symptoms and react to them, and seek professional help if signs of stress persist.