Stress
Stress is a normal part of life. It's the body’s reaction to various stimuli, including physical, chemical, emotional or environmental factors and can be experienced in our home and social life, as well as in the workplace.
Stress is a common workplace factor and if not managed, can negatively impact mental health. Mental illnesses are more likely to come up during times of stress or uncertainty. Recognizing early signs and symptoms of stress and finding ways to manage or reduce your stress may help decrease the overall impact stress has on your health.
Signs of stress may include physical changes, changes in behaviour, emotional changes, and changes in thinking.
Physical changes:
- Tense muscles
- Faster breathing and heart rate
- Headaches or stomach aches
- Changes in sleep or appetite
- Diarrhea
- Feeling tired
Changes in behaviour:
- Using alcohol, cigarettes, or other drugs to cope
- Withdrawing from others
- Drinking more coffee
- Losing patience with people
- Avoiding situations that are stressful
- Constant fidgeting
Emotional changes:
- Emotions are different than they used to be
- Feeling worried and confused
- Feeling angry and irritable
- Feeling like you can't cope
Changes in thinking:
- Difficulty concentrating, remembering and making decisions
- Racing throughts
- Loss of self-confidence
- Negative attitude towards self
Reference: www.cmha.bc.ca/documents/stress/
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The information contained in this toolkit is provided for general information only.
It is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice. Always consult your physician or appropriate health-care provider with respect to your particular circumstances.