Long term health effects of stress

The Long-Term Effects of Stress: Physical and Mental Effects

It’s common to feel stressed sometimes — but chronic stress can lead to health issues such as heart, muscle, and gut problems.

You likely experience some form of stress on a daily basis, whether it’s sitting in traffic, trying to find lost car keys, or rushing to meet a work deadline. As frustrating as these moments can be, they typically pass quickly and you can move on with your day.

If stress becomes regular and severe, it can impact your physical health, career, relationships, and mental health.

That said, there are many coping methods to help you manage stress, promoting calm and even reversing the negative impacts of stress.

The stress response occurs when your body goes into fight, flight, or freeze mode. This physiological response is meant to protect you from danger.

When you’re in a situation your body perceives as threatening, your brain and body move into a stress response and work hard to keep you safe.

Your body responds in the same way when you’re consistently stressed. Chronic stress causes a constant heightened state of arousal that can take a toll on all aspects of your health.

Here’s how long-term stress may impact your body’s systems:

Cardiovascular system

Stress can cause your heart to beat faster and your body to release adrenaline, noradrenaline, and cortisol. The amount of blood pumping in your body also increases, which can increase blood pressure.

If these bodily responses occur regularly, you may have a higher chance of experiencing a heart attack, stroke, or high blood pressure.

Nervous system

When you’re stressed, your sympathetic nervous system (SNS) becomes active. This response happens quickly during periods of acute stress. Once the stress subsides, your parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) — the “rest-and-digest” system — takes over to help your body recover and relax.

Chronic stress can cause continuous activation of both systems, which can be draining on your body.

Endocrine system

In stressful situations, your adrenal glands produce more cortisol. Over time, this can cause fatigue, depression, or issues with your immune system.

Musculoskeletal system

When your body’s stress response kicks into gear, your muscles tense. Under chronic stress, your muscles may be in a constant state of tension, which can cause problems like chronic neck or jaw pain.

Respiratory system

Stress can cause you to experience chest tightness and shortness of breath, which can be problematic for people with pre-existing respiratory issues like asthma.

Gastrointestinal system

There’s a direct link between brain and gut health, so if you’re feeling stressed on a regular basis, you may also experience nausea or digestive discomfort.

Reproductive system

Low libido is a common side effect of chronic stress. Males may experience erectile dysfunction (ED) or impotence. Females may experience changes in their menstrual cycles and have trouble conceiving.

In some cases, chronic stress can also affect sperm production.

Immune health

Chronic stress may also impact your ability to fight off infection.

“Continuous exposure to cortisol suppresses immune function, resulting in protective antibodies being unable to get circulated,” Dr. Sanam Hafeez, an NYC neuropsychologist and director of Comprehend the Mind. “This results in an increase in infections and disease.”

Chronic stress can also cause:

changes in mood
anxiety
depression

It may also make it tougher to participate in regular physical activity, which can impact your overall well-being. Consistently high stress levels may also affect your relationships or self-worth.

Prolonged stress impacts all bodily systems and, in some cases, can cause serious harm.

“If our bodies are in a constant state of stress due to trauma, cultural climate, or present life stressors, the impacts of stress can only promote exhaustion for our system,” says Anna Boyd, a licensed professional counselor with Mindpath Health.

“When we are in a chronic state of hyperactivated sympathetic states for too long, the polyvagal theory states that we can drop down into our dorsal vagal response system,” she adds.

This is typically associated with physical and mental exhaustion, leading to burnout, severe depressive symptoms, and an inability to regulate mentally and physically.

“As a therapist, I have seen this lead to issues such as mental disarray, chronic pain, a diagnosis such as irritable bowel syndrome, high blood pressure, poor sleep, disconnection with motivation, inability to access gratitude or joy, and relationship problems,” Boyd explains.

“This is just a small list to add to the never-ending list of how chronic stress can negatively impact our systems.”

That said, reducing your stress levels and building healthy coping mechanisms can allow you to stay healthy and even reverse the negative effects of previous stress.

Numerous tools can help you manage stress effectively. But, it’s important to note that stress management isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach.

You may find it helpful to try out a few different techniques to see which ones work best for you.

Mindfulness techniques

Cultivating a mindfulness practice is beneficial for managing stress and maintaining optimal overall health.

A mindfulness routine can help you purposefully regulate your body to regulate the mind, Boyd explains. Mindfulness is cumulative, and every minute aids in allowing you to experience a more relaxed state.

Exercise

Physical activity might not prevent stress altogether, but it can improve your ability to cope with it.

“Exercising targets inflammation with a correlation to anti-inflammatory responses,” says Dr. Hafeez. “Mood and overall well-being are improved with exercise.”

Stay connected

Interacting with people in your life can help distract you from the lingering feelings of stress. Additionally, having people to talk with can make coping easier when you’re going through a stressful period.

Experiencing stress now and then is typical. But if you’re constantly stressed, it can have adverse long-term effects on your mental and physical health.

The mental effects of long-term stress can include mood changes, anxiety, and depression. Physically, stress affects every bodily system, and when left untreated, it can cause issues like heart problems, poor immune function, and more.

Developing healthy lifestyle habits and learning effective coping strategies can help you better manage stress and prevent it from doing long-term damage.

“When it comes to stress, there is certainly hope for change, and the best way to start is to start to acknowledge some of the symptoms you may be displaying of a hyperactive nervous system. Advocate for yourself, seek support, and find balance,” recommends Boyd.

The Long-Term Effects of Stress: Physical and Mental Effects

It’s common to feel stressed sometimes — but chronic stress can lead to health issues such as heart, muscle, and gut problems.

If stress becomes regular and severe, it can impact your physical health, career, relationships, and mental health.

That said, there are many coping methods to help you manage stress, promoting calm and even reversing the negative impacts of stress.

The stress response occurs when your body goes into fight, flight, or freeze mode. This physiological response is meant to protect you from danger.

When you’re in a situation your body perceives as threatening, your brain and body move into a stress response and work hard to keep you safe.

Your body responds in the same way when you’re consistently stressed. Chronic stress causes a constant heightened state of arousal that can take a toll on all aspects of your health.

Here’s how long-term stress may impact your body’s systems:

Cardiovascular system

If these bodily responses occur regularly, you may have a higher chance of experiencing a heart attack, stroke, or high blood pressure.

Nervous system

Chronic stress can cause continuous activation of both systems, which can be draining on your body.

Endocrine system

In stressful situations, your adrenal glands produce more cortisol. Over time, this can cause fatigue, depression, or issues with your immune system.

Musculoskeletal system

Respiratory system

Stress can cause you to experience chest tightness and shortness of breath, which can be problematic for people with pre-existing respiratory issues like asthma.

Gastrointestinal system

There’s a direct link between brain and gut health, so if you’re feeling stressed on a regular basis, you may also experience nausea or digestive discomfort.

Reproductive system

In some cases, chronic stress can also affect sperm production.

Immune health

Chronic stress may also impact your ability to fight off infection.

Chronic stress can also cause:

changes in mood
anxiety
depression

It may also make it tougher to participate in regular physical activity, which can impact your overall well-being. Consistently high stress levels may also affect your relationships or self-worth.

Prolonged stress impacts all bodily systems and, in some cases, can cause serious harm.

“When we are in a chronic state of hyperactivated sympathetic states for too long, the polyvagal theory states that we can drop down into our dorsal vagal response system,” she adds.

This is typically associated with physical and mental exhaustion, leading to burnout, severe depressive symptoms, and an inability to regulate mentally and physically.

“This is just a small list to add to the never-ending list of how chronic stress can negatively impact our systems.”

That said, reducing your stress levels and building healthy coping mechanisms can allow you to stay healthy and even reverse the negative effects of previous stress.

Numerous tools can help you manage stress effectively. But, it’s important to note that stress management isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach.

You may find it helpful to try out a few different techniques to see which ones work best for you.

Mindfulness techniques

Cultivating a mindfulness practice is beneficial for managing stress and maintaining optimal overall health.

Exercise

Physical activity might not prevent stress altogether, but it can improve your ability to cope with it.

“Exercising targets inflammation with a correlation to anti-inflammatory responses,” says Dr. Hafeez. “Mood and overall well-being are improved with exercise.”

Stay connected

Experiencing stress now and then is typical. But if you’re constantly stressed, it can have adverse long-term effects on your mental and physical health.

Developing healthy lifestyle habits and learning effective coping strategies can help you better manage stress and prevent it from doing long-term damage.

The effect of stress on the body | Blog Anti-Age Expert

Work, children, career, relationship difficulties - the list of sources of stress only gets longer over the years. And in moments of special experiences, the hypothalamus, the “checkpoint” of the brain, “turns on”. In tense situations, its task is to release stress hormones. At such moments, we feel how the heart is pounding, breathing quickens and muscles contract ...

This reaction of the body helps to protect it in an emergency, preparing it to react as quickly as possible. But when stress is repeated day after day, it is devastating to health.

Experts call stress the "silent killer." Let's figure out what its danger is and how to avoid serious consequences.

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What is stress

Stress is a natural physical reaction to life situations. Sometimes it is useful and even necessary, especially when an immediate or short-term response is required, such as in potentially dangerous circumstances. Your body responds to stress by increasing your heart rate and breathing rate and supplying oxygen to your muscles.

If this physiological response persists for weeks and stress levels remain high for longer than necessary, it can be detrimental to health.

However, in most cases, people do not pay attention to stress, while it takes a heavy toll on them. That is why it is important to know what its signs and symptoms are, as well as what the effect on the body is.

Types of stress

There are three types of stress: acute, episodic acute and chronic.

Let's see what their differences are:

Acute stress.

It is the most experienced and arises as a result of the demands that we place on ourselves or others. Usually appears before an exciting moment, conflict, difficult situation, etc.

To some extent, this type of stress can be positive because it stimulates motivation and can serve as a defense mechanism. However, if you cross the line, it can lead to exhaustion and serious health consequences, both physical and mental.
Chronic stress.

This is the type of stress that most often affects people who find themselves in prisons, conditions of poverty, wars and circumstances that require constant vigilance.

Chronic stress is the most serious and causes significant problems for the psychological health of people suffering from it.
Episodic acute stress.

It affects people who set unrealistic goals for themselves and try to follow the requirements of society. Episodic acute stress is characterized by constant anxiety and a feeling of lack of control over the fulfillment of any requirement. A characteristic feature of people in episodic stress is anxiety about the future and a tendency to anticipate events.

Physical symptoms of stress

There are several typical signs of stress that can make themselves felt through physical well-being, namely:

Headache;

circulatory problems;

Cardiopalmus;

Voltage;

Abdominal pain;

Stomach upset;

sleep disorders;

Dizziness;

Frequent colds;

Poor or, conversely, increased appetite.

Psychological symptoms of stress

Stress is not limited to bodily manifestations. Here are his characteristic psychological symptoms:

Nervousness;

Hypersensitivity;

Feelings of helplessness and depression;

Pessimism;

Despondency;

Difficulty concentrating;

Forgetfulness or difficulty in facing new phenomena.

Due to such a variety of symptoms, stress can affect not only the state of health in general, but also all areas of life.

What factors provoke a state of stress

There are two types of factors that can cause stress:

External stimuli: economic problems, family problems, overwork, fear, etc.
Internal irritants: pain, illness, feelings of inferiority, sociological and other problems.

Causes of stress

More and more people are suffering from stress, especially in big cities where you have to live at high speeds.

The Whole Living Journal published a study revealing the main causes of stress:

Lack of money and financial obligations.

Work overload.

Lack of job satisfaction.

disharmony in personal relationships.

Family anxiety.

The inability to say "no".

Lack of free time.

Obsession with perfection.

Lack of motivation.

Regardless of the cause, it is very important to learn how to manage stress.

Stages of stress

There are 3 main stages of stress:

1. Mobilization phase. This is an immediate response to a dangerous or difficult situation. At this point, the heart rate increases, hormones such as cortisol are released, and the body receives an energetic boost of adrenaline to help it respond.

2. Resistance phase. After the first exposure to stress, the body needs to relax and return to normal. However, if we do not overcome the situation that generates stress, the body remains vigilant and gets used to high levels of blood pressure and hormones.

3. Exhaustion phase. At this stage, stress becomes chronic, and it becomes increasingly difficult for the body to deal with it. Its impact is felt emotionally and physically through various reactions:

Stressful situations happen to us inevitably, but if we find a way to deal with them, many of their negative effects can be avoided or at least reduced.

Health problems resulting from stress

Emotional overstrain can literally hit almost all organs and systems. Let's take a closer look at how stress affects our body.

Effect of stress on the muscular system. When we are under great stress, our muscles tense up as a physical reaction to the load. This automatic response is the body's way of protecting itself from pain and injury. Only when the initial stress passes does our musculoskeletal system begin to relax and release the accumulated tension.

This buildup of tension can also lead to headaches and more severe migraine attacks. Most headaches, mild to moderate, are often caused by muscle tension in the head, neck, and shoulders.

Over time, these stress-related pains can create a vicious cycle. Some people stop exercising because of these discomforts and take painkillers. However, due to inactivity, muscle atrophy can exacerbate chronic diseases of the musculoskeletal system. After all, the human body is designed to move and be active, which is why many doctors recommend exercise to reduce muscle tension and reduce stress-related strain on the musculoskeletal system.
Effects of stress on the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. The long-term effects of stress generally lead to a wide range of cardiovascular problems. Stress hormones (adrenaline, norepinephrine, and cortisol) cause blood vessels to constrict to send more oxygen and energy to the muscles. But it also raises blood pressure. As a result, frequent or chronic stress causes the heart to work too hard and at too long intervals. The constant fight-or-flight response takes a toll on the human body, leading to an increased risk of stroke and heart attacks.

In addition, ongoing acute stress can contribute to inflammation in the coronary arteries and vessels.

Thanks to estrogen, women's blood vessels work better during times of increased stress, thereby protecting them from heart damage. However, postmenopausal estrogen levels are greatly reduced, and the female body becomes more susceptible to the effects of stress.

Stress hormones also affect the respiratory system. During the physiological response to stress, breathing speeds up to distribute oxygen-rich blood throughout the body as quickly as possible. But if you have breathing problems like asthma or emphysema, stress can make your condition worse.
Effect of stress on the central nervous system. The central nervous system (CNS) is responsible for the body's reaction to danger ("fight or flight"). In the brain, the hypothalamus triggers a response, signaling the adrenal glands to release adrenaline and cortisol. These stress hormones speed up your heart rate in order to send more blood to your muscles, heart, vital organs, and other parts of the body that need it most in times of danger.

When the situation is “taken under control”, the hypothalamus should, in theory, signal all of these systems to return to normal. But if this does not happen, or if the source of stress does not disappear, these physiological reactions continue.

Chronic stress is also associated with behavioral disorders, including eating disorders, alcoholism, drug addiction, and social isolation.
Effect of stress on the digestive system. When you are under stress, the liver increases the production of blood sugar (glucose) to give the body an energy boost. But when it comes to chronic stress, the body cannot adapt to the frequent spikes in blood sugar. It is for this reason that chronic stress contributes to the development of type 2 diabetes.

Elevated heart rate, rapid breathing, and stress hormones can also disrupt the digestive system. And because of the increased acidity in the stomach, the risk of acid reflux and heartburn increases. Note that stress alone does not cause ulcers, which are most commonly caused by the bacterium Helicobacter pylori. However, stress increases the risk of developing an ulcer and can worsen an existing one.

Increased nervous tension can also lead to diarrhea or constipation. Finally, people under stress can also suffer from nausea, vomiting, and indigestion.
Effects of stress on sexuality and the reproductive system. It exhausts both the body and the mind. Those under constant stress often experience a significant loss of libido. True, in humans, short-term stress increases testosterone production, but this effect is not sustainable. And with prolonged stress in men, testosterone levels can decrease. Therefore, it can disrupt sperm production and cause erectile dysfunction.

Chronic stress also increases the risk of infections in the male reproductive organs, especially the prostate and testicles. In women, stress can disrupt the menstrual cycle, leading to irregular, heavier, and more painful periods. Chronic stress can also exacerbate the physiological symptoms of menopause.
Effect of stress on the immune system. It stimulates and strengthens the immune system, which is very useful in the face of immediate danger. In particular, strengthening your immune system can help you avoid infections and heal wounds faster. But over time, stress hormones can, on the contrary, weaken the immune system and, therefore, reduce the body's immune response to "invasions" from the outside.

Thus, people who are chronically stressed are more likely to contract viral illnesses such as the flu, colds, and other infections. Stress can also slow down the healing of various injuries and affect our emotional health.

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How stress can cause depression

It is perfectly normal to experience daily mood swings, ups and downs. But under conditions of chronic stress, the human mind is prone to depression. It happens when a by-product of stress hormones makes us feel tired or exhausted.

This feeling of low energy may persist and negatively affect the desire and ability to perform daily activities. This condition is known as "major depression".

Major depression symptoms:

Insomnia and other sleep problems.
Prolonged fatigue, feeling of loss of strength.
Increased irritability and arousal.
Significant changes in appetite.
Feeling worthless.
Feelings of guilt and self-hatred.
Feelings of hopelessness, which can lead to suicidal thoughts.

Those who suffer from major depression may develop other psychiatric disorders. If you are chronically stressed and have thoughts of self-destruction, seek help. This can either be a doctor or someone you trust and respect.

What makes stress worse

Stress can cause, and in some cases exacerbate, some health problems. For example, these:

Depression and anxiety.

Pain of any kind in any part of the body.

Sleep problems.

Autoimmune diseases.

Digestive problems.

Skin diseases, especially eczema.

Cardiovascular disease.

Weight gain or loss.

reproductive problems.

In addition, emotional overstrain can affect our behavior.

How stress affects behavior and personality

Stress hormones present in the body can damage brain cells. In particular, in the hippocampus, as well as in the frontal lobe. The hippocampus is the area responsible for memory retention, while the frontal lobe is responsible for vigilance (attention) and the use of judgment to solve various problems.

Obviously, those who are repeatedly stressed will subsequently have difficulties:

Problems with learning new things;

Preservation of newly acquired knowledge;

Poor self-discipline;

Low concentration;

Difficulty in making decisions.

Stress and anxiety go hand in hand. Many people who are stressed have some form of anxiety disorder.

What determines the body's resistance to stress?

Despite the fact that stress is harmful for everyone, the level of its tolerance varies from person to person. It depends on several factors:

“Support group”. A strong bond with family or friends can play an important role in coping with stress. A person who can rely on others is less stressed than a lonely person.

Feeling of control. If you are a confident person and believe that you are in control of your life, you are less likely to become a victim of chronic stress compared to a person who “goes with the flow” and blames circumstances for all his failures.

Worldview. Life outlook can protect you from chronic stress. If you are an optimistic and hopeful person who is ready to take on the challenges of life, you can easily prevent the harmful effects of stress on your emotional state and on your body.

Ability to deal with emotions. If you have the ability to recognize and accept your emotions and deal with them properly, you are much less likely to get caught up in chronic stress. At the same time, neglecting emotions is not at all a way out of stress, as many people think. You must give yourself enough time to deal with your emotions and overcome the detrimental effects of stress on your body.

Coping with stress

According to the American Psychological Association, there are different types of stress, and there is no single method for dealing with them. So everyone has to find their own way.

However, there are a few general guidelines that might work:

Move away from the cause of stress temporarily. Once you have identified the situation that is causing you stress, put it off as much as possible. It's not about avoiding a problem that you must solve, but about giving yourself a break from excessive mental stress.
Go in for sports. Exercise regulates physiological processes, helping to cope with stress and anxiety. A 10-year study of 288 families found that those who exercise experienced less anxiety. In addition, they tolerate the first stages of stress more easily than those who do not engage in any physical activity.

During exercise, the body releases endorphins, which are natural pain relievers produced by our bodies.

In addition, hormonal activity decreases, so the body produces less cortisol.

Exercise makes it easier to fall asleep, so the body and mind get more rest.

Daily exercise such as walking, dancing or cycling, for example, will help you manage stress better.
Practice yoga. Few exercises are as effective as yoga when it comes to stress management. In addition to the benefits of the exercises described above, research has shown that yoga acts as an antidepressant and sedative, as well as relaxing the mind.

In addition, yoga promotes concentration, which helps to mentally separate yourself from the cause of stress.
Meditate. Meditation also helps to relax the body and mind. Focusing on the breath or the environment will force you to momentarily take your mind off the issue that is causing you stress. Taking a step back will open up a new perspective for you.
Try natural antidepressants. Infusions of natural herbs such as valerian, green tea or lemon balm have been proven to reduce stress.
Do fun and interesting things with your family or friends.

Laughter is known to help relieve stress. In addition, listen to music, visit new places with friends or family, and take up hobbies like painting or making crafts. Doing interesting things will keep you out of trouble.

If none of this works, seek professional help.

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Summary

Stress is a physiological response to life's circumstances, but if it persists longer than necessary, it can be detrimental to health.

There are three phases of stress: mobilization, resistance, exhaustion.

Stress affects the muscular, respiratory, cardiovascular, central nervous, digestive, and reproductive systems.

Stress can lead to depression and exacerbate existing health problems, as well as cause new ones.

It also influences human behavior.

Resilience to stress depends on certain factors.

You can minimize the effects of stress with simple guidelines.

References

Martin V. Cohen, Ph.D. "Stress: The Silent Killer" 2000.

Emily Deans M.D. "Stress: The Killer Disease" Psychology Today, 2012.

Steve Tovian, PhD, Beverly Thorn, PhD, Helen Coons, PhD, Susan Labott, PhD, Matthew Burg, PhD, Richard Surwit, PhD, and Daniel Bruns, PsyD. American Psychological Association 2016.

Marissa Maldonado, Sovereign Health Group "How Stress Affects Mental Health" Psych Central, 2017.

National Institutes of Health "5 Things You Should Know About Stress" 2017.

Antoni MH, Baggett L, Ironson G, LaPerriere A, Klimas N, et al. Cognitive behavioral stress management intervention buffers distress responses and elevates immunological markers following notification of HIV-1 seropositivity. J. Consult. Clin. Psychol. 1991;59:906–915. [PubMed][Google Scholar]

Antoni MH, Cruess DG, Cruess S, Lutgendorf S, Kumar M, et al. Cognitive behavioral stress management intervention effects on anxiety, 24-hour urinary catecholamine output, and T-cytotoxic/suppressor cells over time among symptomatic HIV-infected gay men. J. Consult. Clin. Psychol. 2000a;68:31–45. [PubMed][Google Scholar]

Antoni MH, Cruess S, Cruess DG, Kumar M, Lutgendorf S, et al. Cognitive-behavioral stress management reduces distress and 24-hour urinary free cortisol output among symptomatic HIV-infected gay men. Ann. behavior. Med. 2000b;22:29-37. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

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Stress is a state of psychological and physical tension in response to external influences. It can be caused by difficult situations, monotonous activities and emotional factors. Stress helps you adapt to a changing environment, but can have negative health consequences.

Is stress good or not?

Short-term one-time stress has a positive effect. In response to a stimulus, the body produces three hormones: cortisone, adrenaline, noradrenaline and activates the cells of the immune system.

Thanks to this, a person for a short time period:

memory improves;
increases the level of immunity;
the rate of tissue regeneration increases;
intellectual abilities are activated;
increases the endurance of the nervous system;
the functioning of the sense organs improves.

If a person is systematically exposed to a stress factor, all his organs and systems work hard. As a result, the body intensively wastes energy, passing through the three stages of the process.

The first stage takes effect at the moment of exposure to the stress factor, and lasts a few minutes. It is followed by a second one lasting from several hours to several days, during which a person is looking for a solution to the problem or a safe way out of the situation.

If the action of the factor continues, the body depletes the adaptive capacity and ceases to minimize the harmful effects of the stressor. It is at the stage of distress that a person experiences overload, psychological disorders, signs of somatic diseases.

Causes of stress

Allocate systemic and mental type of impact of a stress factor. The systemic type is the body's response to an infectious disease, inflammation, injury, light, high or low temperature. Mental type - manifests itself on the emotional and mental sphere, followed by the biological level.

Mental causes of stress include:

professional activities associated with increased responsibility;
complex relationships in the family;
conflicts, phobias, problems in communication, threats of a different nature, intractable problems, dysfunctional social relations in the team;
unfulfilled needs, low self-esteem, perfectionism;
change of place of residence or work, monotonous activity, divorce, death of a loved one;
information overload;
lack of rest sufficient to restore the psyche;
psycho-emotional tension caused by risk, time pressure, increased workload, novelty of the situation or its uncertainty.

The consequences of prolonged stress in men and women are the same - depression and somatic diseases. Therefore, it is important to timely note the signs of psychophysical stress, identify its causes and eliminate it.

Signs of stress

Prolonged exposure to a stress factor causes serious stress throughout the body, significantly worsening the general mood and well-being of a person.

Common symptoms of developing stress:

Muscle tension in the head, neck, shoulders, back.
Increased anxiety.
Irritability at the slightest provocation.
Reduced performance.
Depression, apathy.
Sleep disorders.
Absent-mindedness, deterioration of memory and ability to concentrate, slowing down the pace of thought processes.
Chronic fatigue, pessimism, desire to distance themselves from society.
Headache, unexplained chest pain.
Disorder of appetite, violation of the digestive function.

Often a person acquires an obsessive habit, for example, biting his lips, turning his neck, straightening his hair.

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