Can Stress Make You Physically Unwell?
Yes. Stress can affect your body as well as your thoughts and emotions.
Yes. Stress can affect your body as well as your thoughts and emotions.
You might notice headaches, an unsettled stomach, muscle tension, dizziness, tiredness or changes in how you sleep.
Sometimes the physical feelings can be the first thing you notice.
That can leave you wondering:
“Can stress really make me feel this unwell?”
Why does stress affect your body?
Stress is not simply something that happens in your thoughts.
When you feel under pressure, your body can respond as though it needs to prepare you to deal with a challenge.
Stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol can be released. Your heart rate may increase, your muscles may tense and other physical changes can take place.
For a short period, this response can be useful.
But if you are repeatedly stressed or feel under pressure for a long time, you may become much more aware of how your body is responding.
What physical symptoms can stress cause?
People experience stress differently.
Physical symptoms can include:
- headaches
- dizziness
- muscle tension or aches
- stomach problems
- feeling sick
- tiredness
- sweating
- changes in appetite
- a faster or more noticeable heartbeat
- difficulty sleeping
You might experience some of these and never experience others.
Why does my stomach feel different when I’m stressed?
Some people notice stress particularly in their stomach.
You might lose your appetite, feel sick or notice other digestive problems.
This can sometimes create another worry.
You feel stressed, your stomach feels uncomfortable, you become concerned about the physical feeling, and that concern creates even more stress.
Recognising that stress can affect the body may help you understand what you are experiencing, but physical symptoms should not automatically be assumed to be caused by stress.
Why do my muscles ache when I’m stressed?
When you are under pressure, you may tense parts of your body without realising it.
You might clench your jaw, raise your shoulders or hold tension around your neck and back.
If this happens repeatedly, you may eventually notice stiffness, aches or headaches.
Try occasionally asking yourself:
“Where am I holding tension right now?”
Simply noticing that your shoulders are raised or your jaw is clenched may remind you to relax them.
Can stress make you feel exhausted?
It can.
Being constantly worried, alert or under pressure can be tiring.
Stress may also interfere with sleep, which can leave you feeling even more exhausted the following day.
This can sometimes become a cycle:
Stress → poor sleep → tiredness → everyday things become harder → more stress.
Looking at the whole pattern can sometimes be more useful than looking at each problem separately.
How do I know if a physical symptom is caused by stress?
You may not know.
Headaches, stomach problems, dizziness, tiredness, chest discomfort and other physical symptoms can have many different causes.
Avoid assuming that a new or worrying physical symptom is “just stress.”
If you are concerned about a symptom, it is persistent, getting worse or you are unsure what is causing it, consider seeking medical advice.
Some symptoms can require urgent medical attention. For example, sudden chest pain or discomfort that does not go away, particularly with symptoms such as sweating, feeling sick, light-headedness or shortness of breath, requires immediate medical help.
What can I do about the physical effects of stress?
It can help to look at both sides of the problem.
You might consider:
- what is currently putting you under pressure
- whether your sleep has changed
- whether you are eating regularly
- whether you are holding tension in your body
- whether you are getting opportunities to rest
- whether one practical problem could be made more manageable
Reducing the source of stress is not always possible immediately.
But recognising what is happening and taking small steps to manage the pressure may help.
When might I need more support?
If stress is continuing, becoming difficult to manage or significantly affecting how you feel physically or emotionally, consider talking to your GP or another healthcare professional.
Counselling or talking therapies may also help some people explore what is contributing to their stress and develop ways of managing the pressures they are experiencing.
2.2 – What Are the Signs of Stress?
2.7 – Practical Ways to Reduce Everyday Stress
2.8 – How to Switch Off After a Stressful Day
4.4 – Stress and Poor Sleep
11.5 – Identifying Your Stress Triggers
General information only. This is not a diagnosis or a substitute for professional healthcare advice.