Too much tension and strain over any length of time can result in symptoms of stress that can wreak havoc on your physical, mental and emotional well-being. As our daily race to get everything done at work and at home keeps us on constant adrenalin, stress becomes a normal part of our life. Some stress is a good thing, but generally it does more harm than good.

The first step is to understand the symptoms of stress so that you know when it is time to worry and what you can do to manage your tension and anxiety more effectively.

Sometimes the first symptoms of stress that you will notice will be physical ones.

• Signs like muscle tension, headaches, backaches and digestive troubles can occur.
• You may have difficulty sleeping or a loss of sex drive.
• Your skin may see the symptoms of stress as well, with acne breakouts that are more severe than normal.
• In some cases, the symptoms of stress might include an increase in illness, like frequent colds or a worsening of allergies.
• Since the heart can take some of the strain of stress, you might also experience chest pains or a rapid heartbeat.
• Many people also see weight loss or gain, since stress can affect how much and how well you eat.

Emotional symptoms of stress are often even more debilitating than physical signs. Depression is a common issue with chronic stress, as the overwhelming feelings begin to take control of your life. Moodiness, edginess and a quick temper are also signs that you are tense and unable to relax effectively. Often, impatience is a sign of stress, as is restlessness or an inability to concentrate. You may feel isolated from others, and completely overwhelmed with the everyday tasks of your life. This can result in poor judgment and memory lapses that will add to the already stressful situation.

Weighing your Options
If you can identify symptoms of your own stress from these lists, you may be wondering what you can do to better manage your tension and say goodbye to some of these uncomfortable and frustrating health issues. There are many ways to relieve the symptoms of stress, from relaxation techniques to healthy lifestyle choices that will tame the tension and calm the anxiety. A healthy diet and daily exercise are excellent methods for dealing with stress. Talking and relaxation are others

It is important to get to grips with your stress before it begins take control over your physical and emotional health which is much more difficult to treat. Become your own bomb squad.