What Are the Warning Signs of Unhealthy Stress?

So how do you know when you’re dealing with unhealthy stress?  There are a number of factors you can use to measure your stress and see how it is affecting your life.  Everything from your weight to your sleep patterns, to your immune system, to your shortness of temper can be a sign of unhealthy stress.  Take a minute to review these questions.  Think about them in the context of the last week and be honest.

• Are you having trouble falling asleep or staying asleep at night?
• Does the sleep you are getting not feel restful or refreshing?
• Do you worry or fear excessively about things such as your appearance, money, or the weather?
• Do you experience regular tension headaches from stiff neck and back muscles?
• Are you spending more than 60 hours a week at your job, even though it’s not required?
• Have you responded more than 3 times this week with angry outbursts toward the people you love, the people you work with, or even with a complete stranger?
• Do you regularly experience digestive problems (upset stomach, diarrhea, ulcers, acid reflux, etc.)?
• Have you called in sick to work for a legitimate illness more than 4 times in the past year?
• Do you feel burnt out, regularly sad or depressed, or unmotivated?
• Do you have an addiction to a substance such as alcohol, tobacco, or any other drug that you turn to when you’re stressed?
• Do you struggle with pornography?
• Do you find yourself eating emotionally, or eating when you’re not hungry?
• When you come home after a day of work, are you mentally exhausted to the point that you must rest or numb your mind before engaging in other activities?  Do you find yourself mentally exhausted by mid-day?
• Do you spend more than 2-3 hours a day in front of the television or video games or other entertainment to take your mind off of things?

These are just a few of the questions to help you discover unhealthy stress in your life.  If you answered yes to any of these, keep reading.  You probably have some unhealthy stress to deal with, and we’re going to dive into the right way to deal with it shortly.  But first, we need to discover the root of your stress, so we can address it properly.

Continue to What Is the Root of My Stress? ->