10 Ways to Identify Physical Stress

Stress brings with it a number of physical and emotional symptoms. Physical symptoms are your body reacting to the stress. Really, your body is in defense mode. Physical symptoms of stress include but certainly are not limited to:

  1. Upset stomach
  2. Unexplained indigestion
  3. Headaches, Back aches, shoulder pain
  4. Muscle Spasms
  5. Skipping monthly menstrual periods (women)
  6. Constipation
  7. Diarrhea
  8. Hyperventilation (shortness of breathe)
  9. A rash/rashes on the skin
10. Weight loss (including lack of eating)

The American Psychological Association reports, "One-third of Americans are living with extreme stress and nearly half of Americans (48 percent) believe that their stress has increased over the past five years."