Thursday 1st October 2009.
Stress seems to have become a common factor in all our lives.
We have never worked such long hours and having to cope with day to day strains; trying to balance our home and work lives while attempting to keep everybody around us happy, is proving a very difficult thing to achieve.
Many of us use stress and lack of time as an excuse, and use the phrase 'I'm stressed' with flippancy. So how do we know when we are truly stressed, what are the signs, and how do we recognise them?
One of the five main symptoms of stress is forgetfulness. With a tired mind you find it very difficult to focus, so doing things like forgetting your best friends birthday or leaving your mobile phone in the fridge may just be a hint!
Having huge carbohydrate cravings is also a common symptom of stress. They can be a signal that you need serotonin, a chemical with mood boosting qualities that you often find in starchy foods.
Are you having small muscle spasms? Anything from a twitch in the eye to a significant pulsation in the leg can indicate stress. These spasms are actually created when your body releases stress hormones.
Sweating? Stress hormones can also make you sweat much more than you usually would.
Simple decisions are difficult to make. If you cannot even decide what to cook for dinner, or even the will to make yourself a nice hot cup of tea. The this is a true sign that you are well and truly stressed.
So now you know the five key stress symptoms, keep an eye out on your friends, family and work colleagues, and of course, for yourself.
See you again tomorrow!
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