There are several physical symptoms of stress in women that you should be aware of. They include:
1. Palpitations – Heart beating harder, faster or pounding
Palpitations can be felt in the throat, chest or neck. They may be felt during emotions such as excitement or fear. Normally a person is unaware of heartbeats, but due to anxiety, a person can sense his own heart beating.
2. Sweating – severe perspiration
Sweating is natural for human bodies especially when subjected to hot weather or when carrying out heavy jobs or exercises. Emotional activities like anger and embarrassment can also cause sweating. Stress and anxiety trigger the brain to make you sweat. You can prevent this by relaxing and taking control of your stress.
3. Trembling or shaking
Tremors in your body making your arms, feet or entire body feel shaky.
4. Shortness of breath – breathlessness – breathing difficulties
Feeling uncomfortable while breathing, feeling suffocated due to lack of oxygen to the brain, muscles and other organs of the body. This will make you feel dizzy and you may faint.
5. Unable to swallow food
We may feel that food particles are stuck in the throat or upper region of the abdomen. The fear of choking is the main cause when you are under stress. You may feel that you are choking or that a lump has stuck in your throat. Eating becomes a challenge for anxiety sufferers.
6. Chest Pains
People tend to feel that chest pains are caused due to heart attacks, especially if the person has been hurt emotionally. After ruling out heart attack, most people with chest pain are usually having a panic or anxiety attack
7. Stomach pain
It is a common symptom of anxiety, but there are several other possibilities for stomach pain. Before presuming that the pain is due to stress, visit a doctor.
8. Nausea and vomiting
Nausea is caused by involuntary bodily functions, but vomiting could be caused by taste, smell, pain, anxiety etc. Keep drinking water when you are vomiting for prolonged durations, so that you will not get dehydrated.
9. Dizziness or faintness
A feeling of lightheadedness makes it difficult to keep your balance whether you are sitting or standing. If you experience this often you should visit a doctor to determine if the cause is stress or something more serious.
10. Hot and cold sensations
Sweaty palms, feeling hot even when seated in an air conditioned room are all due to anxiety.
These physical symptoms of stress in women may be your first sign that you have a problem. If you are experiencing several of these symptoms regularly related to job or personal stress, you may want to start a stress management program.
