Am I stressed?

Stress is a killer. It can creep up on us gradually, and make us extremely ill. The more we know and learn about stress, the more we will be able to avoid it, and stay healthier for longer.

The current money worries that many Americans are facing each day are making them more and more stressed. These increased stress levels can cause blood pressure levels to rise, can lead to anxiety issues and depression, and in some extreme cases it can cause strokes and even massive heart attacks. This is why it's so important for us to know all about stress, what it is, how to avoid it, and how to reduce it.

In the early stages, and in less severe cases, stress can be hard to spot. But, as the symptoms worsen, and as people become more stressed out, it's easier to diagnose. When we think we're coping well mentally, we often overlook the fact that our bodies are suffering from pressure. Below is a list of some of the most common signs of stress, which have been divided into mental and physical symptoms.

Mental stress symptoms -

- Loss or appetite / increased eating

- Anxiety or panic attacks

- Depression
- Mood swings, including uncontrollable anger and sadness

- Concentration issues

Physical stress symptoms -

- Insomnia and difficulty falling to sleep

- Excessive sweating

- Reduced sex drive

- Chest pains, or a tight feeling across your chest

- Numbness, muscles spasms and cramp [1]

Unfortunately, many people, men in particular, ignore these symptoms, which can cause irreversible damage to your health. So, the sooner you spot these symptoms, the better. Even if you're only experiencing one or two symptoms from the lists above, you should seek advice from a medial professional. Getting a check up from your doctor should pick up on any stress related health problems you may have. You may also wish to ask your doctor about support groups or even counselling, both of which could help you to reduce your stress levels.

If you're stress is left untreated it could lead to any of the following conditions:

- Asthma

- Ulcers

- Arthritis

- Hypertension

- Over-active thyroid

The best way to treat stress is to prevent it. Our lives seems to grow more and more stressful each and every day. The financial crisis is now pushing peoples stress levels to breaking points. So, you have to make sure you know your own stress limits - what you can handle in terms of stress, and what you can't. Some people thrive under pressure and enjoy challenging careers, whilst others prefer calmer working environments that involve few challenges and demands. So, make sure you only choose careers that you can handle. If instead, you're home life is particularly stressful, you will need to make some changes. The quality of your home environment can have a profound effect on your health and well being, and can cause severe stress. Making simple changes to your home and work environments, and reducing your financial worries, may be the key to helping you live a stress free life for longer. [2 & 3]

References -

1 - Am I stressed? - http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/health/article4759355.ece. Accessed Sept 05, 2009.

2 - Top 10 stress tips – http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-367295/Top-10-stress-tips.html. Accessed Sept 05, 2009.

3 - Preventing stress – http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Stress/Pages/Prevention.aspx. Accessed Sept 05, 2009.