Stress, defined as emotional tension or mental strain, is all too common of a condition for many of us. Results of a survey in the UK have shown that almost 74% of adults suffered from overwhelming stress during the year 2017. Too much stress can produce both physical and emotional symptoms.

Let’s look at some of the emotional signs of stress and what you can do to reduce or manage them.

What is Stress?

Stress is the natural response of your body or mind to any sort of happening or event. Many activities can produce pressure in your body, and it is not always bad. People often face stress in everyday life even as a result of positive changes in life. Stress is also produced in your body as a result of physical pain or danger. This kind of stress helps to protect your body and keeps you active and alert to react timely. However, stress caused by emotional issues might be dangerous for you.

Stress hormones

When the body feels stress, a part of your brain gives a signal to glands in your kidney to release hormones in your blood. These hormones include adrenaline and cortisol. These hormones, when released in your bloodstream, they increase the sugar level of your blood. They cause a sudden boost of energy and consequently raise your blood pressure. You may also feel alleviation in your breathing and heartbeat rate. Stress hormones are released as a result of unfavourable and favourable activities in your body. Anyhow, the stress due to bad emotional occurring is harmful.

How to find a Stress Therapist

If you are looking to find the perfect Stress therapist it is crucial to make sure that they have the appropriate qualifications, knowledge and experience. At Expat Therapy 4U we only accept therapists who have full professional proficiency in English and are highly experienced in working with people from culturally diverse backgrounds. The clinicians we approve share our values and commitment to provide high quality therapy to the expatriate community in the private sector across Europe and online worldwide. We strongly believe that therapy changes lives, and being accredited ensures all our therapists are qualified to a high standard. You can find a Stress therapist who is insured to practice and accredited with a recognised membership body online here.

Signs of Stress

The following are the signs that may help you to detect if you are suffering from stress.

Changes in appetite

One of the symptoms of stress is changes in appetite. Some people tend to overeat, while others are not able to eat anything at all. People that typically overeat usually get addicted to junk food. They drink an insane amount of coffee and sugary drinks. On the other end, some people lose their appetite and do not feel hungry at all. If you have sudden changes in your eating behaviours, you will suffer from stress.

Digestive problems

If you have stress, there is a good chance of you getting gastrointestinal disorders. Diarrhoea, constipation, indigestion, and bloating are common if you have anxiety. Scientists say that your stomach is another brain of your body. Studies show that the release of hormones disturbs the working of the intestines and stomach and causes the digestive disorder. These are the sudden and unexpected digestive problems you face even if you eat healthily.

Sleeplessness and fatigue

The stress of anything can cause insomnia. People suffering from stress find it difficult to fall asleep. They tend to overthink at night. As a result of not having a goodnight's sleep, they get frustrated and angry. Also, they tend to feel tired and cranky throughout the day. Some people may even end up sleeping more than usual and have messed up sleeping patterns.

Difficulty in concentration

People with stress find it difficult to concentrate on one task. They quickly get distracted and find it difficult to focus on work. Moreover, they find it hard to stay alert and active. The people who are stressed are more likely to lose motivation in less time. They find it hard to find inspiration to complete their task.

Other signs

Other signs of stress include headaches, an increase in heartbeat, and hypertension. It is evident from the studies that stressfulness can cause severe trouble. Some people face an increase in heartbeat. People with medical history may face an abrupt increase in their blood pressures. Research has found that people suffering from stress are more likely to fall prey to illness.

Causes of Stress

Common causes of stress include biological factors and daily life stressors.

Biological causes

The dysfunction of specific brain parts causes stress. The brain's problems include the stress in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, which controls the reaction to strain in your body. In addition to that, the problem in the sleep-regulating system and defects in the endogenous opioid system that aids in pain control can cause stress. Moreover, genetics may also be a factor that causes stress.

Daily life factors

The life factors like moving out, getting married, having kids can be stressful for some people. If you are a student, you may get stressed for homework or exams. Some students get stressed out because of academic or non-academic competitions. Some of you have a severe burden of work. People usually face stress after gaining promotion. Adults often have the stress of meeting the needs of their family and kids.

Recommended treatments for Stress

Stress is not a clinical condition, but the following treatments can be used to aid people with stress.

Talking therapy

Talking therapy is the best treatment for stress. The most effective treatment for stress is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy focussed on stress management skills. This therapy is ideal for recognizing triggers and provides ideas about the positive actions that you may wish to take. People who are suffering from stress can definitely benefit from this therapy.

Mindfulness-based stress reduction

Learning to live in the present moment can free you from stress. Mindfulness enables you to avoid stress regarding past and future events. Living in the ongoing time increases your productivity and reduces tension in your brain. When your mind is stuck on some event, it badly affects your focus. However, many people are asked to try a Mindfulness-based stress reduction program because it’s an effective way to reduce stress and improves your focus with the help of yoga and meditation.

Meditation 

Meditation, yoga, and other deep breathing exercises prove to be very efficient for stress. Yoga in the fresh air helps you to stay calm. When you feel hyper, you can just sit and watch your breath. Daily breathing exercises can help you to prevent stress and many other mental disorders.

Find a Stress Therapist through the Expat Therapy 4U platform

In short, mental stress is not something to ignore. With proper stress management counselling, you can learn to deal with it. You may have heard that a healthy mind resides in a healthy body. So, in order to enhance your mind, improve your physical health. Stress therapy is the best treatment for your mental health. A professional therapist can help you to stay positive, and eliminate negative thoughts.

Further Readings on Stress

https://theinternationalpsychologyclinic.com/problems/stress-counselling-london/