Stress is undoubtedly a part of everyone’s life, and there are days when we all feel overwhelmed, out of control, and powerless in the face of life’s obstacles and challenges. 

Not surprisingly, A 2017 Gallup poll showed 8 in 10 Americans live with some level of stress. 

Dividing our time and energy between the demands of work and family commitments, not to mention friendships, interests and our self-care, create one too many post-it note reminders and calendar inserts that go beyond manageable.

All that stress can trigger both physical and emotional signs that we’re not managing our stress successfully.

Signs you need new stress management strategies:

1. Your aches and pains are becoming more frequent.

Stress can manifest physically and exacerbate issues such as migraines, back pain, and IBS if left untreated. If you find yourself taking regular sick days for physical concerns, it’s time to pay attention to your stress management strategies. 

2. You don’t enjoy things like you used to.

One of the many emotional symptoms of stress is a general feeling of malaise. If you’re ditching the things you once loved—like spending time with friends or working out while listening to a podcast —not only could you be over-stressed, but at risk of suffering from depression.

3. Your sleep schedule is far from restful.

Stress can wreak havoc on your sleep schedule. The stress hormones you release, cause your body to stay awake due to ‘fight or flight’ mode. When your body is unable to quiet down, your mind suffers too. 

4. You quickly fly off the handle and feel angry.

If you find yourself regularly struggling with anger or having less patience with others, then take this as a sign to find new, healthy outlets to deal with stress.

“Stress is the trash of modern life – we all generate it, but if you don’t dispose of it properly, it will pile up and overtake your life.” – Danzae Pace, writer. 

Helpful resources lead the way to better stress management

If you find yourself experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s time to talk to a health professional to gain access to resources that can help. You deserve to enjoy your life and get back to living it your way. Learning new ways to change your responses to stress can significantly affect your outlook on life, help you feel calmer, and better align with your true values and goals in life. 

Download Snapclarity to get the help you need, when you need it.