6 Surprising Signs You’re Stressed (and Need a Vacation)

you are stressed we are stressed Everyone is stressed. No big deal, right? Because it’s so common, you might think that if you’re not on the floor from exhaustion, you’re probably fine. But stress has an insidious way of sneaking up on you, and it’s not just a mental or emotional issue — symptoms of stress can affect the body in very visible (and bizarre) ways.

“One of the biggest issues I see in my practice is women who come in with multiple physical signs of stress,” says Dr. Nancy Molitor, professor of psychiatry at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. In fact, a new study found that stress and other negative emotions were consistently linked to poor physical health among more than 150,000 people in 142 countries. This is because the mind and body are inextricably linked.

“Emotional stress alerts the body to produce stress chemicals like cortisol, which — if continuously produced — begin to destroy the immune system, gastrointestinal tract, neurological system, and musculoskeletal system,” says Molitor.

What’s worse, those physical symptoms you end up having (ahem, bald spots) can add to your emotional anxiety even more. If you don’t break the cycle, you’re left with an ugly feedback loop that increases your chances of serious problems like obesity, depression, and heart disease. Pay close attention to your body to spot these common signs that you’re stressed. It signals you to step back and take a break.

The best ways to reduce your overall stress is to get adequate sleep (seven to nine hours a night for most people), eat a healthy diet, exercise, turn to supportive friends, and approach things focus that you can control yourself. You can also learn to read your body and spot the not-so-obvious signs that you’re overworked before it all turns into a long-term health condition. Watch out for these warning signs:

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You get stressed when…

1/ You have a stomach ache

The brain’s nervous system is connected to the gut, so mental stress can wreak havoc on your gastrointestinal tract, says gastroenterologist Dr. Bincy Abraham.

Depending on your situation, your doctor may treat your stomach discomfort with over-the-counter (stool softeners), prescription (such as anti-nausea medication), or dietary changes (fiber can restore your gut’s stressed-out beneficial bacteria).

Meanwhile, the best natural remedy for stress-related constipation, diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting. . .Exercise. It might sound like the last thing you want to do when your stomach hurts, but a run can boost endorphins, which make your mind and gut feel better.

2/ Your hair is falling out

Super-high levels of sex hormones called androgens, which rise with stress, could mess up hair follicles and lead to temporary hair loss, says dermatologist Dr. Roberta Sengelman. (Shedding about 100 strands a day is normal.)

There is no food or supplement proven to restore your hair, but a balanced diet can support cell growth and healing.

3/ You have a twitching eyelid

These annoying muscle spasms typically appear around one eye and last for a few minutes. Stress is one of its most common causes, although doctors don’t know exactly why.

If a twitch occurs, close your eyes, try to relax, and take deep breaths. Inhale for four seconds, hold your breath for seven seconds, and then exhale for eight seconds. Repeat four times while applying light pressure to the twitching lid with a fingertip.

OTC artificial tears can also help relieve the spasms that can aggravate dry eyes, says ophthalmologist Dr. Anne Sumers. If the twitching spreads to other parts of your face, see a doctor — it could be a more serious type of spasm.

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4/ You have acne

Just like your hair, your skin is sensitive to these higher-than-average androgens that can lead to breakouts, says Sengelmann. Stress can short-circuit your immune system and cause dormant skin problems to appear.

Talk to your dermatologist if your pimples keep coming back — the chronic inflammation can lead to scarring. (As hard as it is, resist the urge to pop the suction cups, which will only increase inflammation. And you’re more likely to get scars when you’re stressed and your body’s healing ability isn’t at its peak. ) Oral and topical prescription medications, as well as certain soaps, can help unclog pores and wipe out the bacteria that cause acne.

Your dermatologist may also suggest switching to birth control or what you’re already taking to help balance your hormones. And be sure to stick to non-comedogenic (ie, non-pore-clogging) makeup, moisturizers, and sunscreen.

5/ You have back pain

The hormones your body releases when you’re stressed create a fight-or-flight response that — along with raising your blood pressure and heart rate — tightens your muscles. “If you’re trying to outrun a predator, that’s good,” says pain and rehab specialist Dr. Joanne Borg-Stein.

“But if it’s happening all the time, that kind of chronic stress response can lead to pain.” Plus, muscle aches are a common occurrence when you’re sitting at your desk all day worrying about deadlines.

Exercise is the best cure, so if your back is knotted, get up every hour and do a few stretches – stretch your arms over your head, touch your toes, roll your neck and shoulders. Also, try taking a 10- to 15-minute walk around the office or outside once or twice a day.

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6/ You have skin rashes

Stress can throw your immune system—not to mention your skin’s defenses—off balance. If these are lowered, you could become susceptible to skin infections caused by staph bacteria, which cause a rash. On the other hand, when your immunity goes into overdrive, your skin becomes more sensitive, causing a dormant problem like eczema to surface.

In either case, mild emollients, including gentle OTC moisturizers, can help you heal. “If that doesn’t help or the rash is accompanied by fever or other flu-like symptoms – chills, sweating – see your doctor immediately,” advises Sengelmann.