If you are raising a family, have a job, attend school, pay bills, or anything of the like, you are probably extremely familiar with the feeling of stress or anxiety. Stress can be very unhealthy to your overall health and mental state, as well as to the people who surround you. In fact, high levels of stress have been directly linked with health issues like heart attacks, depression, obesity, high blood pressure and more. While it is a completely normal thing to be stressed out from time to time, it is very possible for stress to get out of hand. That’s why it is important to keep track of how stressed out you are and make the proper adjustments to your life if you find your stress and anxiety to be taking over. Although there is no sure way to measure if you are too stressed out or not, your body will display certain physical reactions that can help let you know it’s time for a slow-down, or change. These are just a few signs that will let you know your stress has gotten out of hand:
- Inability to sleep— If you find yourself restless at night and unable to sleep even after a long day of activity, this is one major indicator that your stress levels are too high. You may have too much on your plate, leading your brain to constantly be working and unable to “turn off.” Your body needs sleep to function and if you are experiencing insomnia, this can lead to even more stress, anxiety, and unhappiness. Although there are many sleep aids available, such as over the counter pills, it is not a good idea to become dependent on these unnatural aids because over time, your body will just need more. Melatonin on the other hand is a non-habit forming, natural herb that can be found in almost any grocery store. Melatonin does not cause you to fall asleep, but can aid in helping you stay asleep.
- Lack of appetite— A decrease in appetite is also a sign that you are too stressed out. Even foods that were once your favorite can seem unappetizing, and mealtimes are no longer looked upon as a time for relaxation and sustenance. Despite a possible lack of appetite due to your overwhelming stress, it is still important that you provide your body with the nutrients it needs to survive, or only more stress and unhappiness will be the result.
- Grumpy or depressed mood— A drastic change in mood can also be evident in those that are too stressed. Becoming easily irritated, angered, or depressed are all hallmark signs of an overly stressed person. Stress can also cause a person to be jittery, nervous and uneasy.
- Major decrease in energy— If you are normally an energetic and upbeat person, but find yourself unable to keep up with the various situations and occurrences of the day, you may need to start looking into ways to de-stress and relax. It is common for stress to cause people to feel downtrodden and exhausted.
- Decreased immune system— Stress can lead to many illnesses and diseases and can be especially dangerous to those who are susceptible to heart disease. It can also decrease your immune system therefore declining your ability to fight off common illnesses like the flu, colds, and other seasonal sicknesses.
- Constant worrying— If you can’t settle down and relax even at home, but continue to worry about work and other issues, you may be too stressed out. It’s important to be able to detach from the workplace and other daily hassles when you are in the comfort of your own home, or during your free time. If this is not possible for you, it’s a major sign your stress has gotten out of hand.
- Failure to concentrate— Failure to concentrate on simple tasks or questions is also a sign of overwhelming stress. You may have too much going on in your life and not enough time for your brain to make sense of everything and organize it into coherent thoughts. It’s important not to take on more than you can handle, because it will only lead to stress and overall decreased performance on whatever you may have taken on.
If one or more of these descriptions sound like you, it is definitely time to look into ways in which you can help lower your stress and anxiety levels. Just three simple things that you can do in order to de-stress include:
- Designating quiet time— Sometimes it’s good to just disconnect from all external stimuli and reflect on your thoughts alone. After a hard day spent working, you may find it extremely relaxing to simply sit in silence and rest your eyes without worrying about any distractions or disturbances.
- Purchasing a vaporizer— Vaporizers allow you to fill them with specially flavored herbal blends such as chamomile and peppermint, enabling you to take in these pleasant and calming vapors. One such vaporizer is the Pax by Ploom. This product can be extremely comforting to those who may have a hard time winding down after a long and hectic day. Other vaporizers similar to the Pax that you may want to try out include the Magic Flight Launch Box and the Arizer Solo.

- Participating in a loved activity/hobby— It’s important to make time for the things you like doing, Never let yourself get too busy to take time out for your own enjoyment. Start a new hobby in order to relieve some stress and take your mind off the hassles of the day.
Don’t let stress ruin your life. Know the signs that you’re overwhelmed and do something to change it! Jason Buckenheim is a college student that is currently studying for his BFA (Bachelor of Fine Arts) degree. His hobbies include holistic healing, meditation and Aromatherapy.