Stress affects you in ways that can be so subtle, you might not even notice it’s happening at first.
Plus, sometimes you’re so used to certain reactions that we don’t even realise they’re connected to stress. We just go about our days feeling anxious, irritable, or just not quite right, and we come to accept it as normal. However, understanding the odd feelings you get or things you do for no apparent reason can help you figure out what’s going on. Here’s how you know you might be more stressed than you think.
You get random bursts of energy.
Have you ever felt like you just need to clean the whole house or take on a big project, even though you’re already exhausted? This is a common stress response, and it’s your body’s way of preparing to deal with what’s ahead. When you’re stressed, your body produces adrenaline, which gives you that sudden surge of energy. It’s like a burst of “fight or flight” energy, but it’s often followed by a crash, leaving you feeling more drained than before. If you find yourself getting these energy bursts, it could be stress pushing you into overdrive.
You feel restless or have a hard time sitting still.
When stress is brewing, your body can feel physically unsettled. You might notice that you can’t sit still, fidget constantly, or feel like you have to keep moving. This restless energy can make it hard to focus or relax, and you might find yourself pacing, tapping your fingers, or constantly adjusting your position. It’s like your body is in constant motion because it’s trying to manage the tension brewing inside.
You feel physically tense without realising it.
A common, yet often unnoticed stress response is muscle tension. You might not even realise that you’re clenching your jaw, tensing your shoulders, or even gripping the steering wheel harder than usual. Over time, this tension builds up and can contribute to headaches, neck pain, or back pain. Stress has a funny way of making our muscles tighten without us noticing, and the longer it goes on, the more it starts to feel like a constant part of your day-to-day life.
You experience brain fog or forgetfulness.
Stress can literally affect the way your brain works. If you’re suddenly forgetful, have a hard time focusing, or feel like you’re in a mental haze, it could be stress clouding your thoughts. It’s not that you’re losing your mind—it’s just that when you’re under stress, your brain is overwhelmed, making it difficult to concentrate or recall things. This can leave you feeling frustrated or unproductive, but it’s just your body’s way of responding to stress.
You start avoiding tasks or procrastinating.
When stress builds up, it can lead to a sense of being overwhelmed, and one way your brain tries to cope is by pushing things aside. This can show up as procrastination or avoidance. You might tell yourself that you’ll get to it later, but later never seems to come. The more you avoid things, the more stressed you get, which just creates a cycle that’s hard to break. Recognising that procrastination might be a response to stress can help you step out of that cycle and take action, even if it’s just a small step.
You get emotionally overwhelmed over little things.
Do you find yourself snapping at people or feeling irrationally upset over small things? This is another sneaky way stress shows up. When you’re already carrying a lot of tension, even the tiniest inconvenience can push you over the edge. You might feel frustrated or teary for no clear reason, and this emotional intensity often doesn’t feel like it matches the situation. If you’re reacting more strongly than usual, it could be stress building up underneath.
You have trouble sleeping or stay up late thinking.
Stress can mess with your sleep patterns in more ways than one. You might struggle to fall asleep because your mind won’t stop racing, or you might wake up in the middle of the night and find yourself unable to drift back off. This constant on-edge feeling makes it hard to truly relax and rest, leaving you feeling even more drained. If you’re waking up feeling like you’ve barely slept or have trouble switching off at night, stress is likely at play.
You get stomach issues like indigestion or nausea.
It’s not just your mind that feels the impact of stress—your gut can take a hit too. Stress can cause a range of stomach problems, from indigestion to nausea, to even more severe digestive issues like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Your gut is highly sensitive to stress, and your body’s stress response can trigger physical reactions like these. So, if you notice stomach issues popping up more than usual, stress might be the culprit.
You find yourself zoning out or dissociating.
When things get too overwhelming, your mind might try to protect itself by zoning out or dissociating. You might find that you’re physically present in a situation, but your mind has checked out. This can happen in stressful environments or when you’re trying to manage multiple tasks at once. Your brain temporarily disconnects to cope with the overload, leaving you feeling detached or like you’re on autopilot. While this is a common way the brain tries to manage stress, it’s important to recognise when it’s happening so you can give yourself a break.
You crave comfort foods.
Have you ever found yourself reaching for your favourite snacks when you’re stressed, even if you’re not physically hungry? Stress can trigger cravings for comfort foods, especially those high in sugar, fat, or carbs. This is your body’s way of trying to self-soothe. Unfortunately, while those comfort foods might make you feel better temporarily, they can also lead to energy crashes or emotional lows once the effects wear off. It’s your brain looking for a quick fix, but over time, it becomes a cycle that’s tough to break.
You feel a sense of urgency even when there’s no reason for it.
Sometimes stress makes you feel like you’re always running out of time, even if you don’t have a pressing deadline. You might feel this sense of urgency in everything you do, as if there’s always something you’re behind on. This can show up as rushing through tasks, feeling like you need to be constantly productive, or worrying about things that aren’t really urgent. When you’re in a state of stress, your brain creates this sense of urgency that makes even simple things feel like high-pressure situations.
You experience headaches or migraines.
Headaches, tension headaches, or even migraines can be a physical sign of stress that you might not always connect. Stress leads to muscle tension, which can result in painful headaches, especially around the neck, shoulders, and temples. Chronic stress can also make migraines worse, leading to longer-lasting pain and discomfort. If you’re regularly getting headaches or migraines without an obvious cause, stress could be the underlying factor.
You feel restless, but can’t figure out why.
Ever feel like you just can’t sit still? Like there’s a constant buzz of energy in your body that you can’t shake, but you don’t know why? Restlessness is another sneaky stress response. When your mind is on overload, your body feels the effects. You might fidget, pace around, or even feel like you can’t settle into one spot for long. It’s your body’s way of reacting to stress without you even realising it.
You avoid facing tough emotions.
When stress piles up, you might find yourself ignoring or avoiding difficult emotions. You may distract yourself with work, social media, or even just keeping busy to avoid dealing with what’s bothering you. Avoidance might give you a temporary break, but over time, it only makes the stress worse. Acknowledging your emotions and giving yourself the space to process them is crucial to reducing long-term stress. If you’re finding it hard to face your feelings, it might be a sign that stress is taking a bigger toll than you realise.
