Friday, April 16, 2010

Surprising symptons of Stress

Stress can come with some pretty surprising symptoms, from forgetfulness to nausea to skin rashes. Most of the time, you didn't feel quite like yourself. Find out about how your body is telling you that you’re too anxious!

1. Cavities
We all know that slacking off on dental hygiene is the first way to get cavities, but stress can also be a culprit especially when you're grinding your teeth at night or during the day.

2. An eye twitch
Have you ever had an eye twitch? The often temporary condition can be annoying and worrisome, and for some, can be triggered by stress, this condition is known as blepharospasm.

3. Rashes
It sounds strange, but your skin can be a pretty good barometer of your stress level. Stress can cause a rash, usually raised red spots or hives on the stomach, back, arms and face.

4. Forgetfulness
Lost keys, forgotten appointments, missing cell phone are just few signs that you are under stress. Research shows that chronic stress can literally shrink the size of the hippocampus, which is responsible for some memories, that's why you forgot!

5. Confusion
Stress causes distraction and lack of focus. Stress hormones lodge longest in the brain. Sunlight helps the body release serotonin to improve mood, and vitamin D helps you improve your immune system.

6. Nausea
Have you ever been worried about a loved one's (or your own) health condition, Googled it and suddenly felt nauseated? Stress can upset the stomach, and nausea can be a byproduct of worry.

7. Ragged Cuticles
Do you have ragged, unkempt cuticles or nails? Their condition could be the result of a stress-induced nervous habit. Nervous habits like nail-biting are how several people channel their stress by distracting ourselves with what is known as oral satisfaction.

8. The pain in your neck
The pain in your neck that you attributed to long hours at the computer could actually be a symptom of stress. "Stress definitely affects our musculoskeletal system, resulting in tight, contracting muscles and/or spasms in muscles."

9. Sleepiness
Feeling sluggish? Stress hormones cause your body to surge with adrenaline and then crash into sleepiness.

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