What Are the Signs of Stress?

Stress does not always announce itself clearly.

You might simply notice that you are sleeping badly, becoming more irritable, struggling to concentrate or feeling tired all the time.

Sometimes other people notice a change in us before we recognise it ourselves.

Learning to spot the signs of stress can help you recognise when pressure may be building.

What are the common signs of stress?

Stress can affect your thoughts, emotions, body and behaviour.

Everyone experiences it differently, so you may notice only a few signs.

Changes in how you feel

You might:

• feel irritable or become frustrated more easily
• feel anxious or worried
• become tearful or emotional
• feel overwhelmed
• feel restless or unable to relax
• feel as though you are constantly under pressure
• find small problems harder to deal with than usual

You might also notice that you have less patience with the people around you.

Changes in how you think

Stress can make it harder to concentrate or organise your thoughts.

You might:

• struggle to make decisions
• find it difficult to concentrate
• become more forgetful
• constantly think about problems
• find it difficult to switch off
• feel as though your mind is racing
• struggle to prioritise what needs doing

This can sometimes create another source of stress. You have lots to do, but because you are stressed, it becomes harder to decide where to start.

Physical signs of stress

Stress can also affect how your body feels.

You might experience:

• headaches
• muscle tension or aches
• stomach problems
• dizziness
• feeling sick
• tiredness
• a faster or more noticeable heartbeat
• changes in appetite
• difficulty sleeping

Physical symptoms can have many different causes. New, persistent or worrying symptoms should not automatically be assumed to be caused by stress.

If you are concerned about physical symptoms, consider speaking to your GP or another healthcare professional.

Changes in your behaviour

Sometimes the first sign of stress is a change in what you are doing.

You might:

• sleep more or less than usual
• eat more or less
• avoid people or situations
• stop doing things you normally enjoy
• put things off
• become more withdrawn
• become snappy with family, friends or colleagues
• find yourself relying more on alcohol, smoking or other substances

Individual changes may not necessarily mean you are stressed. It can be more useful to look for patterns or changes from what is normal for you.

Could stress be building without me noticing?

Yes.

Stress can sometimes develop gradually.

Imagine your normal week becomes slightly busier. Then you start worrying about money. Someone in your family needs more support. You begin sleeping badly.

You may adapt to each change without noticing how much pressure has accumulated.

Eventually you might find yourself getting angry about something small or struggling with something you would normally manage easily.

The small thing may not be the real problem. It may simply be the point at which everything else feels too much.

Try noticing what has changed

If you think you may be stressed, ask yourself:

• Am I behaving differently from usual?
• Has my sleep changed?
• Am I more irritable?
• Am I finding decisions harder?
• Am I avoiding things?
• What has changed in my life recently?
• What is taking up most of my thoughts?
• How long have I been feeling like this?

You do not need to have every recognised sign of stress for pressure to be affecting you.

Recognising your own early warning signs can make it easier to act before things become more difficult.

When might I need more support?

Consider seeking additional support if stress is continuing, becoming difficult to manage or significantly affecting your health, sleep, work, relationships or everyday life.

You could speak to your GP or another healthcare professional about how you are feeling.

Counselling or talking therapies may also help some people understand what is contributing to their stress and explore ways of managing it.

2.1 – Understanding Stress
2.3 – Why Do I Feel Overwhelmed?
2.5 – Can Stress Make You Physically Unwell?
2.6 – How to Recognise When You’re Under Too Much Pressure
2.7 – Practical Ways to Reduce Everyday Stress

General information only. This is not a diagnosis or a substitute for professional healthcare advice.