If you’re reading this, chances are high that you’ve been feeling stretched thin on multiple fronts lately (overflowing inbox? Check. Nightmare boss? Check. Family dramz? Check, check, check.) But while a little bit of stress is a given (espesh in the midst of a global pandemic) there are certain physical and emotional cues that warrant an immediate chill pill.
‘Stress is your body’s response to mental or emotional pressure, hormones and chemicals are released that prepare you for physical action – a fight or flight reaction – which can have very uncomfortable side effects,’ explains Dr Jo Gee, founder of women’s health and wellbeing directory The Luna Hive.
While the severity of these symptoms vary from person to person, there are a few subtle signs you’re on a one-way ticket to burnout.
Below, we break it down…
#1 Chronic tiredness
It’s all too tempting to hit the snooze button 15 times when you’re recovering from a big weekend. But if you’re getting the recommended 7-8 hours of shut-eye per night and still feeling drained on the daily, there’s probably more at play.
Source: Getty
#2 Muscle pain
Ever noticed how your whole body tenses up when you watch a scary movie? Essentially, the same thing occurs with chronic stress. You see, stress alters our adrenaline and hormone levels which can impact the muscles and nerves, resulting in soreness or stiffness in the shoulders, back and neck. Not ideal.
#3 Frequent illnesses
It’s an unfortunate fact, but it’s totally true: stress weakens the immune system and makes us vulnerable to catching any nasties going around (e.g. colds and bacterial infections.) What’s more? When we’re rundown, it’s harder for the body to fight off these illnesses. Meaning we’re sicker more often and for longer too.
#4 Weight gain
Maybe too much caffeine is the culprit (this, btw, promotes insulin problems.) Maybe it’s that family-sized block of Cadbury Top Deck you’ve become emotionally dependent on (coz comfort food). But did you know that just thinking about a stressful event in the future can cause you to eat more by increasing your levels of ghrelin (aka, the ‘hunger hormone?’) Food for thought.
Source: Getty
Have you ever suffered from burnout?
I always feel tired (snoring husband probably mainly to blame!) and I tend to comfort eat when stressed or bored. Luckily I don’t have too many stresses really.
Sounds just like me…always tired, aching shoulders and hips and feel like I always have a cold of some kind.
I usually always feel tired despite getting 7-8 hours sleep each night and not being iron deficient. I get a lot of neck pain if I’m stressed and I tend to lose weight as I eat less when I’m stressed.
Suffering from Chronic tiredness and aches and pains but I also suffer from Fibromyalgia and I am going to see my Doctor regarding the Chronic tiredness.
Unfortunately Fibromyalgia has so many symptoms as well as that I have iron deficiency anaemia as well.
But I fight On to get much more accomplished throughout the day.
We all are fighting through different stresses in our lives. No one really knows or understands what others are going through.
But we can understand with kindness.
We all cope in different ways, i did gain a few kgs from not working, but i am working on that
Can’t relate. Love my sleep, plenty of fresh fruits and fresh air. Life is great!
Seems like I’m always tired, but living with anxiety is the main cause
Def overeat when tired. Better to nap than snack!
I try not to burnout!, I do have trouble sleeping occasionally though.
I suppose when I was working and running my own business I was stressed at times but these days I have nothing to stress over.
I cant handle too much stress. It makes me sick. Thankfully im good at staying calm so it take a bit to tip me over the edge.
I swear I was born stressed, it’s something I’ve always had a hard time dealing with. When I’m stressed my eczema gets worse and I’ll also get headaches.
Good article, unfortunately I am an eater
I am feeling stressed. Lots of reasons. Long term serious illness is probably the main reason, and this dreadful COVID isn’t helping either.
Always stressed during this time of pandemic
Good article at the moment. I don’t know anyone who isn’t a bit stressed about something at the moment. The pandemic is really hitting people in many different ways. What a disaster of a year. For me it’s been trying to go about a career change and big plans I had this year, whilst not pretending it would have been easier to just put it all on hold, though it was a bit of a now or never situation. At least in my mind. It will all work out, it’s just a bit stressful in the meantime.
A constant battle for me!
Yes – simple answer to that!! : /
I am always stiff and sore in my shoulders!
I do get very tense neck and shoulders from working a desk job, but nothing as serious as in the article. Good to be aware of the signs.
I’m so aware of the dangers of stress so I always try and keep everything in perspective. Do what I can and not overdo things.
I lost 2 kg during isolation so I guess I’m the opposite of stressed? Lol but I’ve been snacking more so I’m not sure why the weight loss.
I feel tired all the time. I get enough sleep but it is probably not quality. Stage 4 lockdown really sucks but we’re halfway through!
My body always tells me when I’m not coping with things as well as I think I am.
yeah i’m tired all the time 🙁
My body clearly tells me when I’m stressed but I’m not always aware of what I’m stressed about, so it makes it tricky to deal with the stress.
yep very stressed
It doesn’t help that Cadbury has brought Caramilk back!
Busy lives don’t help
I still haven’t tried this!
I hope you are doing ok!
Hope you are doing ok!
It is so hard to know what causes it
Yes of course.
As soon as I’m aware of the tenseness in my upper body I try to relax and do a little gentle exercise. Pray and try possibility thinking-works wonders.
If you like caramel, then it’s divine! I wish I’d never tried it, that would make it easier to talk past when I see it on sale.
I find it so hard to slay asleep
Great article and a timely reminder!!!
I’ve always been a poor sleeper, but the current stresses of the virus and job uncertainty have made it worse 🙁
Having an under active thyroid stress is not my best friend
Exercise is the only thing that helps me or to be frank I’m a moody Cow.
muscle pain, my biggest concern, although i always go for massages often, it helps a big deal.
Sleep is a big one. I haven’t been a good sleeper for a number of years now.
I’m very stressed, so tired and have gained weight .
Don’t bother, it’s disgusting.
ok hehe
A lot of us feel stressed and the modern ways of living does not help. Being overworked, everyone always competing against each other. With coronavirus I am not stressed by the home isolation, I am more stressed about when the next round of redundancies are going to come round. We have had one bout of voluntary redundancies, one bout of forced which came into effect last week and two more rounds of forced underway. I am just glad that I have not been on the chopping block to date.
I haven’t tried it either. Some seems to love it, others seems to hate it…
I love caramel and I tried it recently and I didn’t like it!
Post me your leftovers, haha!