We all deal with stress from time to time, some more than others. It can happen at work, during school, or anytime we get overwhelmed, anxious, or just too busy. For the most part, stress is manageable and once it passes we go back to normal. However, there are times where it can be a bit more debilitating, particularly if the stress is recurring or chronic, or when it sneaks up on us bringing along some strange and unusual physical symptoms.
Stress and anxiety can be seen in many different parts of the body, anywhere from headaches to hair loss, and even digestive problems. Being able to identify how the stress is affecting your physical health might help identify the problem. Here’s a look at some of the most common ways stress can affect our physical health…
Headaches
For many people, times of stress mean frequent headaches. Experts find that stress often leads to tension headaches, which are caused when muscles in the upper back and neck tense up. The end result can be contracting scalp muscles and painful headaches.
Consistent anxiety can also lead to painful migraine headaches, which are tough to get rid of and can last for hours, even days. To reduce tension headaches, doctors encourage patients to be more active or engage in relaxing activities, such as getting a massage or taking a warm bath. (Here are some more Reasons Behind Your Headache).