Everyone experiences increased levels of stress from time to time. While some level of stress may be normal, if ignored for too long, it may negatively affect your health. Did you know that high levels of stress can directly impact everything from your immune system to your muscular health? Understanding how stress affects you can help you identify and manage symptoms more easily.

Physical

• Insomnia

• Headaches

• Muscle tension

• Stomach irritability

• Heartburn

• High blood pressure

• Skin irritation such as rashes or hives

• Weight loss or gain

Emotional

• Mood swings

• Short temper

• Sadness or depression

• Lack of motivation

Behavioral

• Over or under-eating

• Impaired short-term memory

• Social withdrawal

• Difficulty concentrating

• Increased substance use

Everyone responds to stress differently: You might experience one, none or all of the symptoms above when you feel stressed. For tips and tools on managing stress, explore some of the other stress-related pieces on the blog.