The language of stress: interpreting its signals

Stress can manifest in subtle and not-so-subtle ways. It creeps into our lives sometimes unnoticed until its effects become impossible to ignore. It manifests in various ways, impacting our mental, emotional, and physical well-being.

Mental Manifestations:

Brain Fog: You may have difficulty concentrating, making decisions, and retaining information. Racing thoughts are common and it can be hard to quiet your mind.

Negative Thoughts: Pessimism and self-doubt can take over. You become irritable and impatient. I’ve experienced some of this and never want anyone to become the target of my cranky self. Getting trapped in a self-doubt spiral is no fun either.

Forgetfulness: You experience memory lapses, especially your short-term memory. You may also have difficulty recalling details or organizing your thoughts. Sometimes, I think the loss of memory is just my body showing signs of age. That may be somewhat true but stress is likely the culprit more times than not. I forget numbers and can’t always find the right words when I am stressed.

Emotional Manifestations:

Heightened Anxiety: Excessive worrying…