Physical – Muscular tension (back, neck, abdomen), headaches, gastrointestinal distress (gastric reflex, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, hemorrhoids), changes in heart rate and blood pressure, skin problems (acne, rashes, hives, hair loss, etc.), fatigue, changes in functioning such as increased or decreased sleep, appetite or loss of interest in normally enjoyable activities including sex, a worsening of existing medical conditions;

Mental – Loss of concentration and memory, distractibility, confusion, inability to make decisions;

Emotional – Irritability, impatience, intolerance, mood swings, hypersensitivity, hopelessness, intense anxiety and fearfulness and depressed moods that do not go away by themselves;

The most important aspect of the concept of using stress management technique to improve your life is spending time paying attention to yourself. Many don’t do this well because of other valid commitments that take up time in their lives. Some of these commitments are enjoyable, engrossing and profitable, having both long and short-term payoffs and are not the kinds of pursuit that are easily given up.

However, for many of us, even these activities don’t take care of vital parts of ourselves, resulting in the variety of signs of wear and tear that we identify as stress symptoms. Listed below are some of the most common signs of stress organized within the major areas within which we live our live:

Intimate – Being short with those we are closest with, being withdrawn, and not sharing what is going on with those who are in the best position to help;

Social – Spending less time with these folks and enjoying their company less when you are with them;

Spiritual –Giving up hope . . . if one is involved in a formal religion, there is often a decrease in worship activity.

In a world as large and diverse as ours is, the rule remains that only one person can do anything about any of these signs, no matter what. If you are suffering a few of these, it’s time to take time out and pay attention to what’s going on with yourself. Getting rid of these symptoms will only come from decisions you make to change some of the things you are doing or in changing the ways you are doing them.