Common Signs of Stress

Drawing of man made with string

According to research, the top three stressors in college students lives are finances, school work, and plans for after college. Can you relate? Are you feeling stressed?

Here are some common signs of stress:

  • Physical Symptoms
  • Sweating
  • Difficulty Breathing
  • Rapid Heartbeat
  • Headache
  • Backache
  • Stomach Problems
  • Weakness
  • Fatigue
  • Insomnia(See handouts)
  • Faintness
  • Muscle Tension
  • Spasms and Tics
  • Jumpiness
  • Lack of Coordination
  • Appetite Changes (See handouts)
  • Emotional Symptoms
  • Anxiety
  • Worry
  • Depression
  • Inattention
  • Anger
  • Forgetfulness
  • Irritability
  • Nightmares
  • Frustration
  • Panic
 

Handouts

Insomnia

A Good Night's Sleep
Tips for Better Sleep

Appetite Changes

Stress Eating

Why Am I Stressed?

Here are some questions to help you figure out what may be causing you to feel stressed:

  • Where am I when I get stressed?
  • What am I doing?
  • Who am I with?
  • Do I always feel this way with the same people, at the same places, or during the same activities?
  • What am I thinking when I feel this way, and are these thoughts always the same?
  • What am I saying to myself when I feel stressed?
  • What other feelings am I having when I feel stressed?
  • What am I experiencing physically? (see above for common signs)
  • Do I want to express the feeling I am having? If "yes" then why am I not doing so?

If different people, places, activities or thoughts are causing stress:

  • Do they have any common elements? What are these?
  • Does the person or situation remind me of a past person or situation that I had a negative reaction to?

Any of your answers to these questions could be causing you to feel stressed. Once you have possible stressors identified, ask yourself the following to work towards alleviating your stress:

  • What are my realistic options here?
  • How do I want to constuctively cope with this?
  • What realistic choices do I have?
  • Is now a realistic time to implement some idea or strategy?

For more information on positive coping strategies, click here.

Any of your answers to these questions could be causing you to feel stressed. Once you have possible stressors identified, ask yourself the following to work towards alleviating your stress:

  • What are my realistic options here?
  • How do I want to constuctively cope with this?
  • What realistic choices do I have?
  • Is now a realistic time to implement some idea or strategy?