Are You Stressed?

Whether its workload, home responsibilities or any other life issues that are running you down, stress is a common theme that can lead to many other physical and mental health factors, and is unfortunately dealt with way too often in our day to day lives. With uncertainties surrounding the pandemic, and recent anxieties of returning to work and ‘normal’ life, stress has made its way into the minds of many people. We want to share the common signs (courtesy of Mind) on how to recognise if yourself, or someone that you know may be dealing with stress.

Feeling anxious

Anxiety can be experienced in many different forms including but not limited to nausea, fatigue, headaches, panic attacks, difficulty sleeping and a lack of desire to socialise or interact with others.

You can’t switch off & thoughts are racing

You may be feeling overwhelmed as your thoughts are constantly racing through your mind and you cannot relax. You may not be able to flip from work to home mode or switch off whatever it is that is causing you to feel anxious.

Impatient or wound up

You may be extra irritable, defensive or find that you are snapping back at people, usually the ones you care about the most.

A sense of dread

It may be hard to feel excitement or positivity around something on the horizon. You may be dreading going to work, a conversation, an upcoming event, or even just to leave the house in the morning.

You may find it hard to make decisions

Because your mind is struggling to focus, whether it is due to anxiety, or you are emotionally drained from your racing thoughts, you might find it hard to be decisive or think about anything clearly.

You may worry constantly & be feeling restless

The worry mill may be in overdrive. You may be worrying about big things, little things, or just everything.

Feeling emotional and tearful

You may feel emotional and find that you are spending your day trying to hold back the tears.

If you are feeling stressed, this is how your body may be physically telling you:

Shallow breathing or hyperventilating, clenching your jaw, headaches, muscle tensions or blurred eyesight.

If you are struggling with stress or any other issues, we need to you know that you are not alone. If you recognise that yourself, or anyone you know is struggling with any of these signs, just a simple conversation can be the start. Talk to someone, and know that there are people who care about you, and there are people who want to help you.