Symptoms of Stress
Sometimes it may not be clear where stress is coming from and how it is affecting your body. Learn about symptoms of stress.
Stress can cause many different symptoms in your body. This may include:
- An increased heartbeat
- A headache
- A stiff neck or tight shoulders
- Back pain
- Fast breathing
- Sweating, and sweaty palms
- An upset stomach, nausea, or diarrhea
- Lack of appetite or eating more than usual
There are things to look for that can help you understand if you are stressed.
Over time, stress can take a toll on your immune system, heart, muscles, stomach and more. It can also affect the way you think, act and feel.
Understanding what causes stress for you can help to lower stress levels or to avoid it. For example, keep a record to track times and instances when you feel stressed out. Write down:
- What you think may have triggered the stress.
- How you felt and reacted in response to the stressful situation.
- What you did to cope with the stressful situation.
There are ways to help you cope with your current stress levels and help you prepare for future stressors. There’s no one right way to deal with stress. So, finding a few different ways to identify, measure and track stress can help.
Resources
Showing 4 Resources
Foundry Stress Self-Check
Free, stress self-check tool that can help young people identify experiences related to stress.
310 Mental Health Support
Provides a toll-free number connecting callers to a BC crisis line, without a wait or busy signal. Offers emotional support, information on appropriate referral options, and a wide range of support relating to mental health concerns.
HeretoHelp
Provides online mental health and substance use information for individuals and families in BC. The website features thousands of plain-language resources including personal stories, articles, information sheets and content in eleven languages. As well, individuals can email requests for help, support, information or referrals.
There are also four screening self-tests visitors can take covering mental well-being, depression, anxiety disorders and risky drinking. The website is coordinated by the Canadian Mental Health Association's BC Division on behalf of a group of mental health and addictions non-profit agencies called the BC Partners.
Kelty Mental Health Resource Centre
Provides mental health and substance use information, resources and help with navigating the mental health system for families throughout BC and the Yukon.
Parent peer support workers are also available to support parents and caregivers by phone, virtual meeting, e-mail or in-person. See website for online resources, educational events and webinars.
4555 Heather Street, Vancouver, BC