Stress Symptoms, Signs, and Causes

                     The harmful effect of stress and what you can do about it.

Stress within your comfort zone can help you perform under pressure, motivate you to do your best, even keep you safe when danger looms. 
But when stress becomes overwhelming, it can damage your mood and relationships, and lead to a host of serious mental and physical health problems. The trouble is that modern life is so full of frustrations, deadlines, and demands that many of us don’t even realize how stressed we are. By recognizing the symptoms and causes of stress, you can take the first steps to reducing its harmful effects and improving your quality of life.

some people ignore their health condition especially when it comes to stress ,until they breakdown. people tend to be surprise that stress can even result to death,so many deaths today in the world are caused by stress and the ignorance of people to check the loads on their body.

   Especially those working in big firms trying to meet up targets and bring back office work back home,and reduce the duration of their sleep thereby causing the body not to have the desired rest it needs.

 What is stress?

Stress is your body’s way of responding to any kind of demand or threat. When you feel threatened, your nervous system responds by releasing a flood of stress hormones, including adrenaline and cortisol, which rouse the body for emergency action. Your heart pounds faster, muscles tighten, blood pressure rises, breath quickens, and your senses become sharper. These physical changes increase your strength and stamina, speed your reaction time, and enhance your focus. This is known as the “fight or flight” or mobilization stress response and is your body’s way of protecting you.

When stress is within your comfort zone, it can help you to stay focused, energetic, and alert. In emergency situations, stress can save your life—giving you extra strength to defend yourself, for example, or spurring you to slam on the brakes to avoid an accident. Stress can also help you rise to meet challenges. Stress is what keeps you on your toes during a presentation at work, sharpens your concentration when you’re attempting the game-winning free throw, or drives you to study for an exam when you'd rather be watching TV. But beyond your comfort zone, stress stops being helpful and can start causing major damage to your mind and body.

  Signs and causes of stress

The following table lists some of the common warning signs and symptoms of chronic stress. The more signs and symptoms you notice in yourself, the closer you may be to stress overload

Cognitive symptoms
.memory problems

.inability to concentrate

.poor judgement

.seeing only the the negative

.anxious or racing thoughts

.constant worrying

Physical symptoms

. aches and pains

.diarrhea or constipation

.nausea,dizziness

.chest pain,rapid heartbeat

.loss sex drive

.frequent colds flu

Behavioural symptoms

. eating more or less

.sleeping too-much or little

.withdrawing from others

.procrastinating or neglecting responsibilities

.using alcohol,cigarettes,or drugs to relax

.nervous habits(e.g pacing ,biting of nails)

 Causes of stress

The situations and pressures that cause stress are known as stressors. We usually think of stressors as being negative, such as an exhausting work schedule or a rocky relationship. However, anything that puts high demands on you can be stressful. This includes positive events such as getting married, buying a house, going to college, or receiving a promotion.

Of course, not all stress is caused by external factors. Stress can also be internal or self-generated, when you worry excessively about something that may or may not happen, or have irrational, pessimistic thoughts about life.

 Common external causes of stress

1.    Major life changes

2.    Work or school

3.    Relationship difficulties

4.    Financial problems

5.    Being too busy

6.    Children and family

Internal causes of stress

1.    Chronic worry

2.    Pessimism

3.    Rigid thinking, lack of flexibility

4.    Negative self-talk

5.    Unrealistic expectations/Perfectionism

6.    All-or-nothing attitude

     What you can do about stress

1.    Stress isn't always bad. It can help you stay focused and alert—it can save your life.

2.    Stress beyond your comfort zone can cause major damage to your mind and body

3.    Your body does a poor job distinguishing between daily stress and life-threatening events

4.    You can become more resilient by learning stress-busting strategies

5.    Effective stress management includes exercise, sleep, relaxation, and social connection and eat health meal.

6 . connect with others do what makes you happy.