Identifying Stress: 7 Signs

We have another question. You’re on the air.

Caller Four asks Dr. Jason Beeharilal, Founder of Premier Wellness Associates, LLC: Hi. I have a question. What are the signs of too much stress?

_____

Dr. Jason Beeharilal

The signs of too much stress can range from every single body system. Let’s go through a couple of them.

Identifying Stress: Neurological

From a neurological perspective, meaning brain and nerves, you can have everything from headaches to blurred vision to ringing in your ears.

You can just feel that stress. You can feel angry. You can feel irritable.

Identifying Stress: Cardiovascular

From a cardiovascular, or heart and blood vessel standpoint, some people report having tingling or coldness.

They call it vasospasm. Your vessels just go into spasm and they stop flowing as well. Your heart rate increases. Your cortisol level increases.

Identifying Stress: Hormonally

Hormonally, people report everything from GI upset, which can be mitigated by cortisol, as well as just by the GI tract itself. There is nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

Some people have constipation. Irritable bowel syndrome is one of the common ones.

Identifying Stress: Musculoskeletal

From a musculoskeletal standpoint, meaning your muscles, bones and tendons, there is increased joint pain or a decreased tolerance for pain in general.

You might bump your knee and it feels like you just took a hammer to it, even though you only lightly bumped it. There is muscle soreness and weakness.

Identifying Stress: Activity Tolerance

You can have a decrease in what they call your activity tolerance.

You are much more winded with minimal exertion. You used to be able to run one or two miles. Now, after a quarter of a mile, you feel like you’ve already done four.

It’s very wide ranging. It depends from person to person on how your body is with stress. Did I answer your question? What are you feeling?

Caller Four

Identifying Stress: Blood Pressure

When I used to have tousles with my colleague, the first thing that used to happen is that it used to increase my blood pressure.

The second thing is that I used to get really angry because of stress that was created impromptu.

I did not expect something. Then something went wrong and I got really mad.

Identifying Stress: Anger

To cure this problem, I stopped getting mad. I took myself out of that situation. I no longer work with that person. I could do that. I had the courage to move out.

What can someone do when they don’t have the courage to move out?

In a situation with your family, you cannot leave your husband or your daughter. The first thing a person should do when they’re stressed would be what?

Dr. Jason Beeharilal

That’s a good question. It depends on the situation. It’s very delicate.

Identifying Stress: Deal With Anger

First, if there are interpersonal issues, those should be dealt via each other. If that doesn’t work, seek a third party who is objective and doesn’t have ties to one or the other.

This person can give you an opinion and give you both some counseling. Usually a professional is the best for this. That’s probably the best way to go.

Identifying Stress: Don’t Turn to Drugs

I don’t advise drugs or medications if there are issues that can be solved by other means.

Identifying Stress: Take a Minute

You did an admirable thing by removing yourself from the situation. Even if you can’t do it permanently, do it temporarily. You can say, “I need a minute.”

Take a break so that both of the people have cooled down.

Discuss the matter in a very pedantic, productive fashion.

Then find other outlets through which you can work off the anger.

Not getting angry is one thing. It’s a slippery slope.

You have to be careful between not getting angry and just repressing the anger. That’s even more dangerous.

Does that make sense?

Caller Four

Yes.

______

Tell Us:

In identifying stress in yourself, what symptoms did you spot? Tell us in the comments section below.

______

The above is an excerpt from Jasbina’s interview with Dr. Jason Beeharilal

The entire interview transcript is at: Jason Beeharilal NetIP (Network of Indian Professionals) Interview – 3 Ways to Stress Less & Live More

Listen to the entire interview on: Intersections Match Talk Radio – Jasbina’s Lifestyle Show