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Some signals of stress are physical, while others are more subtle.

November 25, 2019

2 Min Read
farmer walking along cornfield with corn in hand
HOW STRESS SHOWS: There can be multiple warning signs that someone is under more stress than he or she can handle. They range from physical symptoms to wanting to be alone more than normal. Zoran Zerenski/Getty Images

The author of Michigan State University Extension’s bulletin How Stress Affects You, Jinnifer Ortquist, outlines several ways to look for how stress may affect the body, mind and overall well-being of you or someone you care about.

Here are three ways to detect stress in a neighbor, a loved one or even yourself:

1. Physical symptoms. Physical symptoms of stress may include a racing heartbeat, high blood pressure, sweaty palms, hotness in the face, tightness of chest, fatigue, nausea, shortness of breath and dizziness. More symptoms that sometimes accompany stress include soreness in the neck or back, a shaky feeling in the legs, loss or increase in appetite, fogginess, finger-tapping, muscle cramps and headaches.

2. Mental or emotional symptoms. Stress may show up in other ways, too. These include an uncharacteristic increase in anger, feelings of depression or not caring about anything, loss of concentration, nervousness and having trouble making decisions. You may also notice unusual levels of irritability, cynicism, aggression, crying, restlessness, boredom, and sleeplessness or sleeping more than usual.

3. Changes in coping. Stress can also be visible through changes in coping mechanisms. These include undereating or overeating, arguing more than usual, and losing interest in hobbies or things you or the person normally finds rewarding. Other signs of stress include an increase in smoking, taking drugs, drinking, sleeping as a means of escape, withdrawing from people, and reaching the point where you or the person breaks things. Any or all of these in combination can be signs of stress.

Recognizing the warning signs of stress in yourself or in other individuals can be important. Changes in emotions, attitudes, cognitive skills or behaviors, or changes in the environment in context of what is normal for the individual, may show the individual is under stress and needs some additional support to cope.

Groen is a senior in ag communication Purdue University. She writes from West Lafayette, Ind.

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