Stress can sneak up on you, simmer quietly or punch you right in the gut. The scary thing is that sometimes you’re so stressed out, you’re operating on autopilot and can’t see the negative impact it has on your life. And believe me, stress has many negative effects. When you’re running on empty, chances are you’ve got common signs of stress and don’t even know it. Here’s what to look for. (1)

1. Pain Could Mean Your Overstressed

I’m older so those aches and pains are easy to ignore. However, stress can cause pain because it puts so much strain on your poor body. Young or old, things such as muscle aches, heartburn, headaches, and heart palpitations are all signs your body is shouting “Enough already!” Take a break and find downtime to reduce your pain. (1)

2. Bad Sleep Can Mean Your Overstressed

I would consider this an obvious sign of stress. That racing brain and restlessness in bed even when you’re exhausted is caused by an overtaxed mind and body. When you have this issue find ways to relax before bed whether it’s reading, meditating, or just chilling. Reduce caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol intake and make sure you get enough physical activity. (1,2)

3. Overstressed People Have Weight Fluctuations

Stress can cause you to eat more, or not eat at all. Changes to your appetite or the need to seek comfort in unhealthy food choices can cause your weight to yoyo. Try to stick to a healthy diet no matter how busy you are. Time to prepare food and eat it at the table, especially with loved ones is also a good way to reduce stress in my opinion. (1)

4. Overstressed People Often Obsess Over Problems

If you find your mind races with the stresses in your life, you’re probably overstressed. Your inability to shut your mind down is a common warning sign you are deeply stressed. All those worries from finances to workload and parenting to relationship issues can’t be resolved by a brain in overdrive. Mindfulness helps you avoid obsessive thoughts by helping you focus on the tasks at hand. You handle things one at a time, and leave thoughts of what’s next or what is bothering you to a time when they become relevant. (1, 3)

5. Overstressed People Can’t Relax

When you don’t allow yourself to stop you are probably unknowingly avoiding your stress. If you can keep moving and avoid relaxing, you’ll never allow your mind to calm down long enough to acknowledge your issues. You have to relax, so take breaks and give your mind and body time to catch up. (1)

6. Overstressed People Lack Patience

Stress reduces your ability to cope. That means you lose patience for even the simplest interruptions or challenges. When you snap at loved ones, can’t focus on your kids, or want to throw your curling iron across the room because your curls aren’t right, that’s a major sign stress is fogging your judgment. Anger and anxiety raise their ugly heads when stress reduces your ability to be patient.  (1)

7. Overstressed People Suffer Frequent Mood Swings

The hormones produced from stress make us feel completely out of control of our emotions. One minute you can be laughing and the next crying. You can be calm and then fly into a rage with little provocation. It’s exhausting feeling this way and it shows in how you react and interact. If you can’t find a reason for constant mood swings, like PMS, then you probably need to find a way to cope with stress. (1)

8. Hair Loss In The Overstressed

This won’t happen to everyone, and might also be a sign of underlying health issues. However, in many people, the strain on your body can interfere with physiological functions including hair production. Stress can keep all your hair production in the “resting phase” so that you don’t have an ongoing cycle to maintain a full head of hair. (1)

9. Under Sexed Could Mean Overstressed

Last on the list is a decreased libido. The ongoing physical demands stress puts on your body leave you too exhausted to even think of sex. However, it also interferes with emotions which can make the idea of intimacy too much to bear. If you’re in a relationship don’t let this ride as it can really put stress on you and your partner. Talk about your stress so they understand it has nothing to do with them. (1)

If you suffer from even a few of these signs, it’s time to make some changes to reduce your stress.

Here is a natural way to support your journey to a healthier level of stress.