4 Signs your Stress Levels are Worth Addressing
We all experience stress—it’s part of being human.
And while it can be unpleasant, it isn’t necessarily a bad thing. In the short-term, stress can heighten our senses, make us stronger, more alert and boost our immune system.
So how do you know when the stress you’re experiencing is beginning to negatively impact your health and wellbeing?
Here are 4 signs your stress levels are worth addressing----->
POOR SLEEP
If you cannot consistently fall asleep, stay asleep, and wake up feeling rested, it's usually an indicator that stress is interfering with your health and performance. Since sleep impacts not only your stress & anxiety levels, but memory, coordination, and mood, it's challenging to make progress in any area of your life without proper rest.
YOUR WORKOUTS ARE SUFFERING (or, what workouts???)
In the short-term, stress releases adrenaline, which can motivate us to move. However, when you are chronically stressed and sleeping poorly it can be difficult to find the motivation to exercise.
Intuitively, it makes sense. Exercise is a stressor (it's great for you--but still a stressor) so when you are already stressed, the last thing you feel like doing is more stress.
FOOD CRAVINGS (especially fat & sugar!)
In the short-term, stress can suppress your appetite, but in the medium to long-term, stress increases cortisol levels which can increase appetite, cravings, and can contribute to weight gain. While there is usually an emotional component, stress eating isn't just some moral failing on your part--it's literally your body craving energy to fuel your energy intensive stress state.
AVOIDANCE & DISTRACTION
When we’re stressed and tired, we all occasionally indulge in distractions like a mindless IG scroll or bing watching our favorite show—no judgement! But if a pattern emerges where you consistently avoid activities that are beneficial for your stress levels (like social connection, exercise, and rest without media input) to spend time doing activities that distract us from our stress, this can be a sign that your stress levels are impacting your wellbeing.
THE GOOD NEWS…long-term stress doesn’t have to be permanent.
If you are experiencing any of these warning signs, don’t panic. While stress is inevitable, the way you respond to it can change. What was once overwhelming can become something that pushes you to be stronger, fitter and more resilient.
There are many lifestyle interventions that can help relieve stress in the short-term and build resilience in the long-term, such as breathwork, meditation, mindset shifts, NSDR, mindful movement and purposeful stress exposure.
The tools are simple, the implementation can be tricky.
If you're interested in learning how, check out my resilient living program and let me create an individualized game plan for you towards restoration and resilience.