In today’s world, chronic stress is common. With the fast pace, unlimited stimulators, and variety of stressors, your mind and body can pay a high price. Recognizing signs of stress is the first step in helping you recover. Know when your body is reacting to stress when you have muscle soreness, teeth grinding, or fatigue.

Muscle Soreness

When the body is stressed, your muscles will tense up. This is the body’s way of guarding itself against injury and pain. However, when it is mental stress, the muscle tension is not only unnecessary but can lead to other reactions of the body. For example, according to the APA , tension headaches and migraines are associated with prolonged muscle tension in the shoulders, neck and head. You can also find unnecessary soreness in your back and legs. If you find areas of your body tight, try implementing relaxation techniques to prevent muscle soreness and potential injuries.

Teeth Grinding

According to Maccaro Orthodontics , teeth grinding is often the result of stress in adults. Teeth grinding can take place during the day or at night in your sleep. Unfortunately, those that grind their teeth don’t always realize they are doing it. If you suffer from teeth grinding, you likely get headaches, experience a tight jaw, or sore teeth. Teeth grinding and jaw clenching can wear down your teeth over time and cause serious dental issues. If you experience any of the above symptoms, talk to your doctor about a mouthguard and relaxation techniques that help with stress management.

Fatigue

When you feel stressed, it is your body’s response to a situation in which it feels threatened. According to HelpGuide , the evolutionary fight-or-flight response then takes control. One of the dangers of chronic stress is that your body is always in fight-or-flight response mode. This takes a toll on the body and can leave you constantly fatigued. Excessive fatigue will cause you to disrupt sleep patterns and make you more likely to get sick. Talk to your doctor if you have trouble sleeping or are sleeping too much as it may be your body’s response to stress.

The more stress you have, the less likely you are to come down from the heightened state and long-term effects can be disastrous to your health. Try to limit unnecessary outside stressors or find ways to manage them in a healthy manner. Knowing when your body is reacting to stress can help you take control and get help.

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