10 Signs You May Be Overstressed

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsPoor SleepDepressionAnxiety and IrritabilityFrequent HeadachesDigestive IssuesHigh Blood PressureAcneGetting Sick OftenAches and PainsLow Libido

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Poor Sleep

Depression

Anxiety and Irritability

Frequent Headaches

Digestive Issues

High Blood Pressure

Acne

Getting Sick Often

Aches and Pains

Low Libido

Close

Stressis the body’s normal response to change. It can be physical, emotional, or mental. Whether it’s meeting an upcoming deadline or organizing abirthdayparty, stress is part of everyday life.However, everyone reacts to stress differently. Feeling stressed may be obvious for some but others may not notice until it becomes more severe.A 2015 observation study looked at what extent adults perceive stress and it found that 59% have experienced a high level of stress.But overstress or too much stress can be detrimental to your physical and mental well-being as it can cause your body to deteriorate.How can you know if you’re experiencing a normal level of stress or if you’re actually overstressed?Although stress affects everyone differently, there are some common signs you might be overstressed.How Chronic Stress Impacts Your HealthYour Sleep Patterns Are OffMost of us have experienced a sleepless night and woke up feeling tired and groggy. When someone is overstressed, theirmind is overwhelmedand it affects their ability to fall asleep and remain asleep.If you’re feeling tired all the time and barely have any energy to get through the day, you may be overstressed.A 2014 study with over 2,300 adult participants showed a significant association between stress exposure and an increased risk of insomnia.You Feel DepressedIt is understandable that major life events such as the death of a loved one and job loss can cause feelings of sadness and depression. But stress due to daily life problems such as financial difficulties, troubled relationships,health problemsand parenting responsibilities can also cause depression.A study that looked at 816 women showed that both chronic and acute stress significantly increased the risk of a major depressive episode.It is important to note that depression is related toother factorssuch as family history, environment, brain chemistry, certain medical conditions, and poor nutrition.You Feel Anxious or Irritable—Or Both!When you’ve been experiencing a high level of stress over an extended period of time, you may feel overwhelmed. You may have too many things to and you might feel like you’re unable to get it all done. This can create feelings of irritability.Whether it’s preparing for an interview or going on a first date, it’s normal to feel anxious every so often; however, if you’re feeling anxious all the time, it could mean you’re overstressed.A 2015 study that looked at medically-healthy employed adults between the ages of 30 and 60, showed that work and home stress were associated with anxiety and depression symptoms in both men and women.You’re Getting Frequent HeadachesWhether it’s from a bad night’s sleep or a hangover, you’ve probably experienced a headache before. However, one of the common symptoms of overstress is getting frequenttension-type headachesThis type of headache can feel like there is a band wrapped around your head that’s slowly tightening.A longitudinal population-based study published in 2014 revealed that increasing stress was associated with an increasing number of days a participant experienced a headache each month, specifically for those with tension-type headaches and younger populations.You Have Digestive IssuesChronic stress can cause digestive issues such as heartburn, constipation, anddiarrheaand exacerbate symptoms of those who have inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), peptic ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and other functional gastrointestinal diseases.Racing Heartbeat and High Blood PressureYou can feel your heart beating faster when you’re out for a brisk walk or moving some heavy furniture. However, if your heart is racing when you’re standing still or sitting, it could mean you’re overstressed.When you are experiencing stress, both your heart rate andblood pressurego up. However, if the stressor is short-term (aka situational stress), your heart rate and blood pressure will return to normal levels.If you are stressed for a long period of time, your body will, consequently, be in overdrive for an extended period of time.You Notice More AcnePicture this: it’s the night before a big presentation and as you’re brushing your teeth, you notice a massive pimple has popped up right on your forehead.The severity of stress has been shown to be significantly associated with an increase in acne severity. One of the mechanisms is that during the stress response, the body releases cortisol which increases the skin’s production of oil and worsens acne.Keep in mind that there are other factors that can contribute to acne aside from stress such as inflammation, clogged pores, bacteria, and hormonal changes.You’re Getting Sick OftenThe effectiveness of your immune system depends on the level of stress your body is experiencing. When your body is constantly under stress, your immune system becomes vulnerable and its ability to fight off infections and viruses decreases.So, if it seems like you’re always recovering from a cold or facing significant health problems, you may be overstressed.You Feel AcheyChronic pain and chronic stress go hand in hand. If someone is in pain, they feel stressed and if they’re constantly stressed, it can cause aches and pains.How does your body feel when you get up in the morning? If you constantly feel pain in your joints and your back, you may be overstressed.One of the reasons prolonged stress can cause aches and pain involvescortisolwhich is released during the body’s stress response. In normal situations, cortisol is an anti-inflammatory hormone; however, chronic stress and repeated surges of cortisol cause cortisol dysfunction. Cortisol dysfunction causes inflammation which, in turn, creates widespread tissue and nerve damage.Your Sex Drive Is DownStress can cause changes in libido. If you’re finding that you’re less interested in sex than you used to be, you could be experiencing overstress.A 2021 study looked at the association between the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on women’s reproductive health. It surveyed over 1000 women and found that 45% said that they experienced a decreased sex drive due to stress.It is important to consider other factors that affect one’s libido including hormonal changes, psychological factors, smoking, alcohol consumption, and other social factors.Worry Time: The Benefits of Scheduling Time to Stress

Stressis the body’s normal response to change. It can be physical, emotional, or mental. Whether it’s meeting an upcoming deadline or organizing abirthdayparty, stress is part of everyday life.

However, everyone reacts to stress differently. Feeling stressed may be obvious for some but others may not notice until it becomes more severe.

A 2015 observation study looked at what extent adults perceive stress and it found that 59% have experienced a high level of stress.

But overstress or too much stress can be detrimental to your physical and mental well-being as it can cause your body to deteriorate.

How can you know if you’re experiencing a normal level of stress or if you’re actually overstressed?

Although stress affects everyone differently, there are some common signs you might be overstressed.

How Chronic Stress Impacts Your Health

Your Sleep Patterns Are Off

Most of us have experienced a sleepless night and woke up feeling tired and groggy. When someone is overstressed, theirmind is overwhelmedand it affects their ability to fall asleep and remain asleep.

If you’re feeling tired all the time and barely have any energy to get through the day, you may be overstressed.

A 2014 study with over 2,300 adult participants showed a significant association between stress exposure and an increased risk of insomnia.

You Feel Depressed

It is understandable that major life events such as the death of a loved one and job loss can cause feelings of sadness and depression. But stress due to daily life problems such as financial difficulties, troubled relationships,health problemsand parenting responsibilities can also cause depression.

A study that looked at 816 women showed that both chronic and acute stress significantly increased the risk of a major depressive episode.

It is important to note that depression is related toother factorssuch as family history, environment, brain chemistry, certain medical conditions, and poor nutrition.

You Feel Anxious or Irritable—Or Both!

When you’ve been experiencing a high level of stress over an extended period of time, you may feel overwhelmed. You may have too many things to and you might feel like you’re unable to get it all done. This can create feelings of irritability.

Whether it’s preparing for an interview or going on a first date, it’s normal to feel anxious every so often; however, if you’re feeling anxious all the time, it could mean you’re overstressed.

A 2015 study that looked at medically-healthy employed adults between the ages of 30 and 60, showed that work and home stress were associated with anxiety and depression symptoms in both men and women.

You’re Getting Frequent Headaches

Whether it’s from a bad night’s sleep or a hangover, you’ve probably experienced a headache before. However, one of the common symptoms of overstress is getting frequenttension-type headachesThis type of headache can feel like there is a band wrapped around your head that’s slowly tightening.

A longitudinal population-based study published in 2014 revealed that increasing stress was associated with an increasing number of days a participant experienced a headache each month, specifically for those with tension-type headaches and younger populations.

You Have Digestive Issues

Chronic stress can cause digestive issues such as heartburn, constipation, anddiarrheaand exacerbate symptoms of those who have inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), peptic ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and other functional gastrointestinal diseases.

Racing Heartbeat and High Blood Pressure

You can feel your heart beating faster when you’re out for a brisk walk or moving some heavy furniture. However, if your heart is racing when you’re standing still or sitting, it could mean you’re overstressed.

When you are experiencing stress, both your heart rate andblood pressurego up. However, if the stressor is short-term (aka situational stress), your heart rate and blood pressure will return to normal levels.

If you are stressed for a long period of time, your body will, consequently, be in overdrive for an extended period of time.

You Notice More Acne

Picture this: it’s the night before a big presentation and as you’re brushing your teeth, you notice a massive pimple has popped up right on your forehead.

The severity of stress has been shown to be significantly associated with an increase in acne severity. One of the mechanisms is that during the stress response, the body releases cortisol which increases the skin’s production of oil and worsens acne.

Keep in mind that there are other factors that can contribute to acne aside from stress such as inflammation, clogged pores, bacteria, and hormonal changes.

You’re Getting Sick Often

The effectiveness of your immune system depends on the level of stress your body is experiencing. When your body is constantly under stress, your immune system becomes vulnerable and its ability to fight off infections and viruses decreases.

So, if it seems like you’re always recovering from a cold or facing significant health problems, you may be overstressed.

You Feel Achey

Chronic pain and chronic stress go hand in hand. If someone is in pain, they feel stressed and if they’re constantly stressed, it can cause aches and pains.

How does your body feel when you get up in the morning? If you constantly feel pain in your joints and your back, you may be overstressed.

One of the reasons prolonged stress can cause aches and pain involvescortisolwhich is released during the body’s stress response. In normal situations, cortisol is an anti-inflammatory hormone; however, chronic stress and repeated surges of cortisol cause cortisol dysfunction. Cortisol dysfunction causes inflammation which, in turn, creates widespread tissue and nerve damage.

Your Sex Drive Is Down

Stress can cause changes in libido. If you’re finding that you’re less interested in sex than you used to be, you could be experiencing overstress.

A 2021 study looked at the association between the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on women’s reproductive health. It surveyed over 1000 women and found that 45% said that they experienced a decreased sex drive due to stress.

It is important to consider other factors that affect one’s libido including hormonal changes, psychological factors, smoking, alcohol consumption, and other social factors.

Worry Time: The Benefits of Scheduling Time to Stress

13 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Wiegner L, Hange D, Björkelund C, Ahlborg G.Prevalence of perceived stress and associations to symptoms of exhaustion, depression and anxiety in a working age population seeking primary care — an observational study.BMC Fam Pract. 2015;16:38.Drake CL, Pillai V, Roth T.Stress and sleep reactivity: a prospective investigation of the stress-diathesis model of insomnia.Sleep. 2014;37(8):1295–1304.Hammen C, Kim EY, Eberhart NK, Brennan PA.Chronic and acute stress and the prediction of major depression in women.Depress Anxiety. 2009;26(8):718–723.Fan LB, Blumenthal JA, Watkins LL, Sherwood A.Work and home stress: associations with anxiety and depression symptoms.Occup Med (Lond). 2015;65(2):110–116.Schramm SH, Moebus S, Lehmann N, et al.The association between stress and headache: A longitudinal population-based study.Cephalalgia. 2015;35(10):853–863.Konturek PC, Brzozowski T, Konturek SJ.Stress and the gut: pathophysiology, clinical consequences, diagnostic approach and treatment options.J Physiol Pharmacol. 2011;62(6):591–599.American Heart Association.Managing Stress to Control High Blood Pressure.Zari S, Alrahmani D.The association between stress and acne among female medical students in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2017;10:503–506.Thiboutot DM, Dréno B, Abanmi A, et al.Practical management of acne for clinicians: An international consensus from the Global Alliance to Improve Outcomes in Acne.J Am Acad Dermatol. 2018;78(2 Suppl 1):S1-S23.e1.Cohen S, Janicki-Deverts D, Doyle WJ, et al.Chronic stress, glucocorticoid receptor resistance, inflammation, and disease risk.Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2012;109(16):5995–5999. doi:10.1073/pnas.1118355109Hannibal KE, Bishop MD.Chronic stress, cortisol dysfunction, and pain: a psychoneuroendocrine rationale for stress management in pain rehabilitation.Phys Ther. 2014;94(12):1816–1825.Phelan N, Behan LA, Owens L.The impact of the covid-19 pandemic on women’s reproductive health.Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2021;12:642755.Nazarpour S, Simbar M, Tehrani FR.Factors affecting sexual function in menopause: A review article.Taiwanese Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2016;55(4):480–487.

13 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Wiegner L, Hange D, Björkelund C, Ahlborg G.Prevalence of perceived stress and associations to symptoms of exhaustion, depression and anxiety in a working age population seeking primary care — an observational study.BMC Fam Pract. 2015;16:38.Drake CL, Pillai V, Roth T.Stress and sleep reactivity: a prospective investigation of the stress-diathesis model of insomnia.Sleep. 2014;37(8):1295–1304.Hammen C, Kim EY, Eberhart NK, Brennan PA.Chronic and acute stress and the prediction of major depression in women.Depress Anxiety. 2009;26(8):718–723.Fan LB, Blumenthal JA, Watkins LL, Sherwood A.Work and home stress: associations with anxiety and depression symptoms.Occup Med (Lond). 2015;65(2):110–116.Schramm SH, Moebus S, Lehmann N, et al.The association between stress and headache: A longitudinal population-based study.Cephalalgia. 2015;35(10):853–863.Konturek PC, Brzozowski T, Konturek SJ.Stress and the gut: pathophysiology, clinical consequences, diagnostic approach and treatment options.J Physiol Pharmacol. 2011;62(6):591–599.American Heart Association.Managing Stress to Control High Blood Pressure.Zari S, Alrahmani D.The association between stress and acne among female medical students in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2017;10:503–506.Thiboutot DM, Dréno B, Abanmi A, et al.Practical management of acne for clinicians: An international consensus from the Global Alliance to Improve Outcomes in Acne.J Am Acad Dermatol. 2018;78(2 Suppl 1):S1-S23.e1.Cohen S, Janicki-Deverts D, Doyle WJ, et al.Chronic stress, glucocorticoid receptor resistance, inflammation, and disease risk.Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2012;109(16):5995–5999. doi:10.1073/pnas.1118355109Hannibal KE, Bishop MD.Chronic stress, cortisol dysfunction, and pain: a psychoneuroendocrine rationale for stress management in pain rehabilitation.Phys Ther. 2014;94(12):1816–1825.Phelan N, Behan LA, Owens L.The impact of the covid-19 pandemic on women’s reproductive health.Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2021;12:642755.Nazarpour S, Simbar M, Tehrani FR.Factors affecting sexual function in menopause: A review article.Taiwanese Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2016;55(4):480–487.

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Wiegner L, Hange D, Björkelund C, Ahlborg G.Prevalence of perceived stress and associations to symptoms of exhaustion, depression and anxiety in a working age population seeking primary care — an observational study.BMC Fam Pract. 2015;16:38.Drake CL, Pillai V, Roth T.Stress and sleep reactivity: a prospective investigation of the stress-diathesis model of insomnia.Sleep. 2014;37(8):1295–1304.Hammen C, Kim EY, Eberhart NK, Brennan PA.Chronic and acute stress and the prediction of major depression in women.Depress Anxiety. 2009;26(8):718–723.Fan LB, Blumenthal JA, Watkins LL, Sherwood A.Work and home stress: associations with anxiety and depression symptoms.Occup Med (Lond). 2015;65(2):110–116.Schramm SH, Moebus S, Lehmann N, et al.The association between stress and headache: A longitudinal population-based study.Cephalalgia. 2015;35(10):853–863.Konturek PC, Brzozowski T, Konturek SJ.Stress and the gut: pathophysiology, clinical consequences, diagnostic approach and treatment options.J Physiol Pharmacol. 2011;62(6):591–599.American Heart Association.Managing Stress to Control High Blood Pressure.Zari S, Alrahmani D.The association between stress and acne among female medical students in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2017;10:503–506.Thiboutot DM, Dréno B, Abanmi A, et al.Practical management of acne for clinicians: An international consensus from the Global Alliance to Improve Outcomes in Acne.J Am Acad Dermatol. 2018;78(2 Suppl 1):S1-S23.e1.Cohen S, Janicki-Deverts D, Doyle WJ, et al.Chronic stress, glucocorticoid receptor resistance, inflammation, and disease risk.Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2012;109(16):5995–5999. doi:10.1073/pnas.1118355109Hannibal KE, Bishop MD.Chronic stress, cortisol dysfunction, and pain: a psychoneuroendocrine rationale for stress management in pain rehabilitation.Phys Ther. 2014;94(12):1816–1825.Phelan N, Behan LA, Owens L.The impact of the covid-19 pandemic on women’s reproductive health.Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2021;12:642755.Nazarpour S, Simbar M, Tehrani FR.Factors affecting sexual function in menopause: A review article.Taiwanese Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2016;55(4):480–487.

Wiegner L, Hange D, Björkelund C, Ahlborg G.Prevalence of perceived stress and associations to symptoms of exhaustion, depression and anxiety in a working age population seeking primary care — an observational study.BMC Fam Pract. 2015;16:38.

Drake CL, Pillai V, Roth T.Stress and sleep reactivity: a prospective investigation of the stress-diathesis model of insomnia.Sleep. 2014;37(8):1295–1304.

Hammen C, Kim EY, Eberhart NK, Brennan PA.Chronic and acute stress and the prediction of major depression in women.Depress Anxiety. 2009;26(8):718–723.

Fan LB, Blumenthal JA, Watkins LL, Sherwood A.Work and home stress: associations with anxiety and depression symptoms.Occup Med (Lond). 2015;65(2):110–116.

Schramm SH, Moebus S, Lehmann N, et al.The association between stress and headache: A longitudinal population-based study.Cephalalgia. 2015;35(10):853–863.

Konturek PC, Brzozowski T, Konturek SJ.Stress and the gut: pathophysiology, clinical consequences, diagnostic approach and treatment options.J Physiol Pharmacol. 2011;62(6):591–599.

American Heart Association.Managing Stress to Control High Blood Pressure.

Zari S, Alrahmani D.The association between stress and acne among female medical students in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2017;10:503–506.

Thiboutot DM, Dréno B, Abanmi A, et al.Practical management of acne for clinicians: An international consensus from the Global Alliance to Improve Outcomes in Acne.J Am Acad Dermatol. 2018;78(2 Suppl 1):S1-S23.e1.

Cohen S, Janicki-Deverts D, Doyle WJ, et al.Chronic stress, glucocorticoid receptor resistance, inflammation, and disease risk.Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2012;109(16):5995–5999. doi:10.1073/pnas.1118355109

Hannibal KE, Bishop MD.Chronic stress, cortisol dysfunction, and pain: a psychoneuroendocrine rationale for stress management in pain rehabilitation.Phys Ther. 2014;94(12):1816–1825.

Phelan N, Behan LA, Owens L.The impact of the covid-19 pandemic on women’s reproductive health.Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2021;12:642755.

Nazarpour S, Simbar M, Tehrani FR.Factors affecting sexual function in menopause: A review article.Taiwanese Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2016;55(4):480–487.

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