In today’s context, stress is something that gone from the occasional issue to a daily downer! It gradually takes over your mind, and eventually affects your body as well. Stress can lead to a complete breakdown of your physical and mental system. Stress can be caused by various factors, and can also lead to numerous, physical and emotional complication of varied intensity, some of which can even be life threatening.
According to latest studies by the Indiana University Kelley School of Business, people in high-stress and less flexible jobs die younger than those who have discretion and are able to set their own goals as part of their employment.
There was a recent study regarding the ranking of the most stressed countries in the world, and Nigeria tops the list, closely followed by South Africa. India ranks at around the 14th position. Stress is becoming one of the most fatal conditions women. While you can’t “cure” stress, you can manage it.
If you choose to ignore the signs and symptoms of stress in women now, it might be too late for you to rectify and recover as stress only takes you down the path and seldom uplifts your spirit. In India, around 62% of the working workforce has been reported to be stressed, and again women have been found to be more stressed than men.
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As mentioned above, stress can be due to various reasons. One of the main reasons of stress has been found to be job concerns and financial matters. According to a recent study, stress in the U.S has increased by around 30% over the last three decades, and 35% of American workers have been found to be chronically stressed.
Stress can affect different people in different ways. For example, according to the above survey, women are more stressed at work than men. They are more likely to feel stressed on an average weekday, and they feel that they are not appreciated by their employers for their work. After the above two reasons, health, relationships, poor nutrition, media overload and sleep deprivation, in order have been ranked as the top reasons for stress.
New studies have also found that highly stressed women are half as likely to get pregnant than others. So, stress can lead to lifestyle problems, pregnancy issues and many other complicated ailments in women, so they need to be very cautious about how to deal with it. The first and foremost thing is to identify the signs of stress and stop ignoring them.
The natural anti-stress hormone oxytocin, which is produced during childbirth, breastfeeding, and in both male and female bodies during orgasm, are enhanced by estrogen and reduced by testosterone. So, women need more oxytocin to maintain their emotional balance and health.
10 Common Signs of Stress in Women
1. Fatigue
According to studies, 51% of people have cited fatigue as a major symptom. Women tend to get more tired and dizzy, when they are stressed. Even, sleeplessness is one of the major symptoms, along with worrying about things all the time. This is turn makes them irritable and panicky.
2. Headaches
44% of people feel that they experience more headache if they are stressed than other symptoms, and it is quite acute for women. It can cause frequent headaches and migraines. Sticking to a healthy eating and sleeping pattern can help to ease the condition.
Try These Foods To Relieve Stress-Induced Headaches!
- Quinoa
- Mushrooms
- Asparagus
- Low-fat milk
- Spinach
- Swiss chard
- Sunflower seeds
- Bananas
- Potatoes
- Broccoli
- Tuna
- Eggs
- Cauliflower
- Watermelon
- Strawberries
- Grapefruit
- Cantaloupe
- Pineapple
3. Bad Period Cramps
A Harvard study found that highly stressed women are more than twice likely to get very painful periods than others. Your mental turbulence takes a toll on your physical condition and aggravates mood swings, which anyways are quite common in periods. This also increases the pain and makes you feel miserable.
4. Bleeding Gums
A sore jaw or grinding teeth, which occurs during sleep can be aggravated by stress. Even the stress hormone cortisol impairs the immunity system and makes you more prone to bacteria. This can also lead to bleeding gums, which can be an alarming sign. Around 17% of people feel that teeth grinding is a major symptom of stress.
5. Bad or Weird Dreams
Odd dreams can be a sign of emotional instability, and hence points at a stressed mind. Unpleasant dreams can lead to disturbed sleep and hence increases the chances of a stressful day and vice versa. This happens more in women than in men.
6. Acne or Pimples
Stress cause inflammation and leads to unexpected acne and pimples. This in turn causes more stressful conditions and affects the mind and self-confidence in a negative way. Stress hives are also common.
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7. A Sweet Tooth
If you have a sweet tooth, then it is not always the fault of hormones. Stress might also lead to acute craving for chocolates and sweet treats. So, if you have been experiencing more than usual liking for sweet things, you might want to get your stress levels checked.
8. Lower Sex Drive
Around 15% of people have felt that a change in their sex drives is a symptom of stress, which is true in every respect. Lower sex drive can be a direct sign of stress, which can be either in your personal or social lives.
9. Itchy Skin
A Japanese study has found that people with itchy skin are more likely to be stressed than others. It is quite common for an irritating itch to cause stress, but it is not quite uncommon for an anxious or tense mind to aggravate conditions like dermatitis, eczema and others.
10. Muscle Tension
Around 30% of people have identified muscle tension as one of the symptoms of stress. This can also lead to excessive belly aches. Stressed women can feel three times more abdominal pain than others.
Apart from these stress symptoms in women, getting prone to different types of allergies, dizziness or change of appetite can also be major signs of stress in women. Stress hormones can stimulate the production of IgE, which causes different allergic reactions, and hence they can be co-related in this way.
According to current statistics, around 54% of people have stated that stress has made them fight with people, close to them. So, it is very important to ward off stress in a proper way to save yourself and your relationships. Ironically, friends and family can be the best forms of stress management.
It has also been found that 77% regularly experience physical symptoms that are caused by stress. So, if they are apparent, it is high time that you take precautions.
Recent studies have proven that stress can cause more heart problems in younger women than in men. So, it is better to recognize the signs of stress in time and safe your future physical and emotional stability by dealing with it in a healthy and constructive way. Stress can affect both physically and mentally, so it is better to first gather the mental strength to ward it off, which will also help you to fight stress at a physical level.
Stress can be harmful in any form, so prevent it from taking over your body and soul and resort to a healthy lifestyle with proper diet, physical exercise and positive thoughts and a better outlook towards life and relationships.
The more you try to suppress and ignore stress, the more it decays you from inside. Find a stress buster – exercise, some play time with your pet or your child, aromatherapy – anything to help you manage a condition that will literally be the death of you!
