{"id":11100,"date":"2021-04-07T20:47:41","date_gmt":"2021-04-07T20:47:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/integritystaffing.com\/7-clues-youre-too-stressed-and-what-to-do-about-it\/"},"modified":"2024-06-28T14:22:01","modified_gmt":"2024-06-28T14:22:01","slug":"7-clues-youre-too-stressed-and-what-to-do-about-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/integritystaffing.com\/blog\/7-clues-youre-too-stressed-and-what-to-do-about-it\/","title":{"rendered":"7 Clues You’re Too Stressed \u2014 and What to Do About It"},"content":{"rendered":"

April is Stress Awareness Month<\/span><\/a>. Looking back at the past year, it’s safe to say that more of us have more reasons to be stressed than at any other time in living memory.<\/span><\/p>\n

Everyone has their own way of coping \u2014 or not coping \u2014 with stress. If you really are using good coping skills, great. If you recognize you’re in trouble, you can take steps to de-stress yourself. Then there are those of us who think we’re doing OK, but we’re really not. This is what Stress Awareness Month is all about.<\/span><\/p>\n

Perhaps more people fall into this last group than either of the others. Stress can affect your life, career, relationships and health (both physical and mental) in many ways. Here are the most common signs that stress is secretly getting to you.<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Weight gain<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Stress eating can pack on the pounds before you know it. What’s more, stress can trigger an inflammatory response in the body, which tells your cells to store fat rather than burn it off \u2014 meaning you can gain weight even when your eating habits haven’t changed.<\/span><\/p>\n

2. Aches and pains<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

They could show up as frequent headaches, stiff neck, jaw clenching or even chest pain \u2014 which could be a heart attack, so take it seriously and call 911.<\/span><\/p>\n

3. Anger<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Are you getting into more arguments than you used to? Irritability is a very common result of stress.<\/span><\/p>\n

4. Sleep problems \/ tiredness<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

You may have trouble falling asleep, staying asleep or both. You may also constantly feel exhausted even when you’re getting enough sleep.<\/span><\/p>\n

5. Depression \/ sadness *trigger warning*<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Watch out for feeling hopeless, worthless, not interested in the things that used to make you happy, or even suicidal.<\/span><\/p>\n

6. Difficulty having sex<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Obsessing \u2014 consciously or unconsciously \u2014 about the stress factors in your life will prevent you from relaxing and having fun in bed.<\/span><\/p>\n

7. Unhealthy behaviors<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Activities that were at socially acceptable levels may go over the top as you try to use them to relieve stress. They include:<\/span><\/p>\n