Many of us live under high stress and heavy demands in today’s society – we are expected to be high performers at work, be perfect parents, have rich social life, and enjoy meaningful hobbies. Then add to that a worldwide pandemic and all that it entails, and it is no wonder that a large part of the population feels stressed.
However, it is sometimes difficult to decipher the body’s signals. We can have challenges understanding that we are so stressed that it takes physical form. Below are six bodily behaviors that could be a warning sign that you should slow down.
You are always sweating a lot
Many different things cause sweating – exercise, warm temperatures, or the brain experiencing a threat. When our escape or fencing instincts kick in, we start sweating out the fluids, so we don’t have to pee in a threatening situation. But sweating all the time could be a sign of anxiety.
You are always thirsty
If you’re constantly thirsty without eating salty food, check your mental health. Prolonged periods of stress block the salivary glands and cause your mouth to become dry.
You lose more hair than usual
Many people who have been burnt out or otherwise living with high stress for a long time will recognize this. An emotional crisis can affect how hair grows. Hair loss, though, is usually delayed – it is common to lose hair 6-12 weeks after a traumatic event.
You develop red patches
If you are not suffering from allergies but still get red rashes or spots on your skin, it is not unlikely that it is stress. It is even possible to get red patches inside your mouth from stress.
Grinding your teeth
The number one reason we grind our teeth is that we’re stressed. If you find yourself unconsciously clenching or clenching your jaws while you sleep or during the day, it may be due to stress. You can tell if you wake up and feel sore or tired in your jaw. A bite guard can help protect your teeth if it is a recurring problem.
Your eyes twitch
Distress and stress can cause the brain to send unusual signals to the muscles of the face. This, in turn, can cause your eyelids to twitch uncontrollably. On rare occasions, these cramps can last for weeks.
