The signs of feeling stressed and/ or low or depressed can manifest themselves in a number of different ways. There can be a range of physical symptoms, and also common emotional feelings. The two are often easily linked.
Here is a range of some of the physical symptoms that can be experienced when we are feeling stressed or depressed –
- Lack of energy/ lethargy
- Low mood
- Increase in bad habits or poor diet
- find it difficult to relax or ‘switch off’
- Poor sleep
- Increased feelings of anxiety and tension
- Low immune system
- Aches and pains
- Lack of interest in social activities
- Increased blood pressure/ hypertension
- Skin complaints
This list is not exhaustive, but it gives you and idea of signs and symptoms experienced. Do you resonate with any of these? Would you like life to look differently? Do you wonder how you can get off this downward spiral and where this stuff came from in the first place?
This all actual goes back to the way we think. When we think certain thoughts, for example ones of stress, worry, grief, anxiety, fear, resentment etc, we release certain chemicals in the brain. Commonly known as stress hormones.
As we continue to think the same thoughts, our body becomes flooded with this concoction of chemicals (and this pattern can go on for a looooong time). This then leads to the common physiological symptoms, some of which you may recognise above.