Diet for Stress Management Slideshow Take the Stress Quiz! Tips for Exercise, Diet and Stress Reduction

Stress Symptoms

• Stress usually first affects the inner emotions. Initial symptoms may include the following feelings:
  
  
  • Anxiousness
    
    
  • Nervousness
    
    
  • Distraction
    
    
  • Excessive worry
    
    
  • Internal pressure

• These emotional states can then begin to affect a person's outward appearance:
  
  
  • Unusually anxious or nervous
    
    
  • Distracted
    
    
  • Self-absorbed
    
    
  • Irritable

• As the stress level increases, or if it lasts over a longer period of time, a person may begin to feel more severe emotional or physical effects:
  
  
  • Excessive fatigue
    
    
  • Depression
    
    
  • Sometimes even think of hurting yourself or others
    
    
  • Headaches
    
    
  • Nausea and vomiting
    
    
  • Diarrhea
    
    
  • Chest pain or pressure
    
    
  • Heart racing
    
    
  • Dizziness or flushing
    
    
  • Tremulousness or restlessness
    
    
  • Hyperventilation or choking sensation

• In most cases, these symptoms are very minor and don't last very long. If they become more severe or increase in frequency and severity, seek medical help.