CONTRIBUTED CONTENT — A normal part of life, stress is an automatic physical, mental and emotional response to challenges. The response to stress varies widely from person to person, largely based on the level of stress a person faces and the ability to cope.
Unchecked stress can have serious effects on overall health and well-being. If you are experiencing prolonged and increased levels of stress that accompany more than three of the following common symptoms, it might be a good idea to visit your primary care provider for help in developing a plan of action before your long-term health is negatively affected.
Common symptoms associated with too much stress include the following:
- Feeling anxious, overwhelmed, restless, unmotivated, irritable, angry, sad or depressed.
- Experiencing headache, muscle tension, chest pain, rapid heartbeat, fatigue, stomach upset, change in sex drive, insomnia or emotional outbursts.
- Experiencing a change in eating patterns, such as eating too much or not enough.
- Using substances to dull stress-related thoughts and feelings.
- Withdrawing socially.
- Exercising less.
There are many tools available to help develop stress coping skills. From meditation to exercise to relaxation, the essence of stress management is self-care in all the ways that best suit the individual.
Health care providers can prescribe therapies and medications to help patients get over the hump, but patients also have the longer-term work of using the coping tools and skills necessary to prevent stress from overwhelming them and causing more serious and costly health issues.
The goal is to ensure stress levels are kept to a well-managed range, helping prevent the health complications that arise from stress symptoms. A good first step is to ask, “What is one thing I can do today to better manage my stress?” Every answer to this question will be different but equally helpful to the individual who takes that first step.
If you aren’t sure where to turn for primary care, Family Healthcare’s medical and behavioral team can help by providing integrated support.
Note: If you are experiencing chest pain, shortness of breath, jaw or back pain, pain radiating into your shoulder and arm, sweating, dizziness or nausea, seek emergency help immediately. These could be the signs of a heart attack and not stress-related symptoms.
Written by LORI WRIGHT, CEO of Family Healthcare.
Family Healthcare is a registered nonprofit organization providing accessible, high-quality medical, behavioral and dental care to the residents of southwest Utah since 2002. Call 435-251-0866 or visit familyhc.org for more information.
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Resources
- Family Healthcare | Address: 25 N. 100 East #102, St. George | Telephone: 435-986-2565 | Website.
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