Stress has a way of wreaking havoc on the body, especially if the stress is chronic or severe. It can cause all sorts of health problems, from headaches to heart disease. If you've been especially stressed lately and are suffering from an otherwise unexplainable pain, stress may be your culprit. But what can you do about it?

Consult Online Resources

Perhaps the easiest thing you can do is to turn to the internet and online resources for information. If you already know your pain is a result of being under too much stress, you might look for ways to reduce and better manage your stress. If you don't know why you're experiencing pain, you might try searching for a list of your symptoms and seeing what comes up. When using online resources, make sure you use well-researched, professional sources as much as possible. This will help you find quality information that is more likely to be reliable.

Source: https://www.helpguide.org/articles/stress/stress-management.htm 

Go See a Health Professional

The internet can be a good start, but there's also a lot of misinformation that you want to avoid. If you need a diagnosis, it's best to go see a healthcare professional. They have made it their business to figure out what's wrong with people and help them treat it. They are more likely to be reliable than a general Google search. If you can, choose to see a healthcare professional who specializes in pain and stress. They may be in a better position to give you a more accurate diagnosis than a general practitioner.

Source: https://www.podium.com/article/communication-in-healthcare/ 

Take Time for Self Care

Taking time for some self care can be a helpful way to manage both your pain and your stress. Perform gentle exercises to get your body moving without causing more pain. If you need a low impact option, swimming is easy on joints. Take the time to prepare and eat healthy, wholesome meals. Practice yoga and meditation to help you become more in tune with yourself and improve your mindfulness. Even something as simple as calling up a trusted friend or family member and connecting with another person can be beneficial.

Source: https://www.athletico.com/2012/07/31/the-many-benefits-of-swimming/ 

Pain caused by stress can leave you feeling at a loss for what to do. If you're experiencing mysterious pains during or after experiencing stress, take some time to get informed, see a healthcare professional, and take some time for some self care. You may find that you are able to reduce some of the stress you're experiencing as well as the pain you're feeling.

Sometimes therapy is the best answer to dealing with stress. Contact us today to book a session!