Unusual Ways Stress Can Show Up in Your Body

Stress can be felt physically Stress can be defined as the feeling of mental or emotional strain. It usually puts the body in a fight-or-flight state. It can be acute and might fade away after some time or it can be chronic and might exist for a prolonged period. Stressors causing stress can be both internal and external. Stress is not just psychological if it goes on for a long period, it can manifest as physical symptoms in your body. Here are a few symptoms that could be caused by stress.Sleep disturbances and fatigue When the body is in a state of chronic stress, it means that is in a fight-or-flight state for long periods. This can cause chronic fatigue and lead to insomnia. It could be another way around where sleep disruptions due to stress can cause daytime fatigue.Bouts of acne Interestingly, a person can get a bout of fresh acne if they might be stressed out. One reason could be that when a person’s body is in a state of stress, they might touch their face more often and this can facilitate the spread of bacteria on the face. Other reasons could be excess oil production, hormonal shifts and inflammation triggered by stress.Body aches Chronic aches and pains could also be a sign of prolonged stress. Studies have found an association between increased levels of stress hormones or cortisol and chronic pain. People having pain were also found to have high cortisol levels as per a study.Digestive problems Chronic stress can also lead to digestive problems like constipation, diarrhoea, heartburn and acid reflux. The effect might be seen more in people suffering from conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Changes in appetite and weight changes are also common with chronic stress.