There is a silent killer that moves among us and we should never, ever ignore: Stress. According to Maya Clinic, stress that’s not dealt with or managed can lead to many long-term health problems, including high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, stroke, and heart disease.
The more obvious symptoms of stress–like headaches, digestive issues, muscle tension and more–is like when pain starts screaming at you. It’s the lesser known signs and symptoms that we need to be aware of. If you’re experiencing any of these things, then this might be your body telling you it’s time to slow down or ask for help.
Strange Dreams
Rosalind Cartwright, PhD, emeritus professor of psychology at Rush University Medical Center, found in her research that dreams tend to become more positive as the night progresses, often leading to a better mood upon waking than when you first went to sleep.
However, stress can interfere with this natural progression because you wake up more often, which interrupts the dream cycle and allows negative images to repeat throughout the night. Maintaining good sleep hygiene–such as getting 7 to 8 hours of rest and steering clear of caffeine and alcohol before bed–can help minimize these disturbances.
Achy Mouth
Do you find yourself having an achy jaw lately? If yes, you might be grinding your teeth, which is a habit that can be worsened by stress. In your next visit to your dentist, try to ask for a nighttime mouth guard, which can help you stop or reduce your teeth grinding.
Weekend Headaches
In an ideal world, people should be relaxing during the weekends when they’re off work. However, if you find that you still get tension headaches or migraines on Saturday mornings, it could be your body coming down from a high-stress week. The shift from “go mode” to “rest mode” can trigger a rebound effect. It’s not about the weekend itself; it’s your nervous system trying to reset.
Weight Gain Around the Midsection
When people are stressed, they tend to have more cravings for fat and carbohydrates, which can then lead to weight gain around the midsection. Cortisol, the stress hormone, is known to push fat toward the belly area. This isn’t just about diet–it’s chemistry. You might be eating “normally” but your body is storing differently.
Difficulty Sleeping
This may be one of the more obvious signs of stress, but it’s worth mentioning because many people overlook it. You might be tired but wired, lying in bed with your mind racing. Or you wake up at 3 a.m. with that creeping dread. It’s your body staying alert when it’s supposed to power down.
Low Libido
When the body experiences ongoing stress and begins producing elevated amounts of cortisol and adrenaline (epinephrine), these stress hormones can suppress sexual desire. In cases of prolonged stress, the body prioritizes the production of stress hormones over sex hormones, which can result in consistently reduced libido and arousal.
For men, this imbalance may contribute to erectile dysfunction. Mental distractions, anxiety, and depression–common side effects of stress–can also interfere with sexual interest and responsiveness.
Gum Disease
A Brazilian review of 14 previous studies found that individuals under high stress are more likely to develop gum disease. Researchers suggest that consistently high cortisol levels can weaken the immune system, making it easier for harmful bacteria to affect the gums.
If you’re spending long hours at work and eating meals at your desk, consider keeping a toothbrush nearby. According to Preston Miller, DDS, former president of the American Academy of Periodontology, regular exercise and sufficient sleep can help reduce stress and support better oral health.
Losing Interest in Life
Do you find yourself just losing your vibrancy or general interest in life? Do your hobbies no longer engage you? Did activities that used to help you decompress now also feel like a chore? If yes, you might be experiencing stress and not even know it. Chronic stress can dull your emotional responses, making every task–even fun ones–feel like rolling a giant boulder up a steep hill. It’s not laziness; it’s overload.
Low Back Pain
Henry Ford Health internal medicine physician Dr. Lynn Dado explains that our muscles store emotional tension, which is why stress can influence the way we carry ourselves. Surprisingly, much of the lower back pain people experience isn’t always due to physical injury or structural issues. While stress often causes noticeable stiffness in the neck and shoulders, it can also significantly impact the lower back.
Skin Breakouts
Elevated stress hormones like cortisol can trigger a rise in oil production and stimulate androgen hormones, both of which are known to contribute to acne flare-ups. Stress can also influence behavior, often leading to habits like stress eating or emotional overeating. These comfort foods–typically high in sugar, fat, or refined carbohydrates–can further aggravate the skin and promote breakouts.
Worse-Than-Normal Allergies
In a 2008 study conducted by researchers at Ohio State University College of Medicine, individuals with allergies experienced more severe symptoms after completing a test designed to provoke anxiety, compared to when they did a non-stressful task. Moreover, a study by author and doctor Janice Kiecolt-Glaser, PhD, stress hormones may increase levels of IgE, a blood protein responsible for triggering allergic reactions.
Tummy Aches
Stress and anxiety can trigger physical issues like stomach pain, headaches, and insomnia. One study involving 1,953 adults found highly stressed individuals were over three times more likely to have abdominal discomfort. This may be due to shared nerve pathways between the brain and gut. Managing stress through therapy, meditation, or exercise can help, but frequent stomach pain should be checked by a doctor to rule out other conditions like IBS or food intolerances.
Brain Fog
Studies show that extended exposure to cortisol can negatively impact memory and may even lead to reduced brain volume. Even slight increases in this stress hormone can affect brain function. Those under long-term stress often struggle with memory, focus, and problem-solving.
Itchy Skin
A Japanese study of over 2,000 people found that individuals with chronic itching (pruritus) were twice as likely to experience high stress levels compared to those without it. While persistent itching can lead to stress, experts believe that anxiety and tension can also worsen skin conditions like eczema, dermatitis, and psoriasis. Furthermore, stress activates certain nerve fibers that trigger the sensation of itch.
Excessive Craving for Sweets
If you find yourself reaching for chocolate, don’t be so quick to blame hormones; stress might be the real culprit. Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania surveyed women before and after menopause and found only a slight decline in chocolate cravings afterward, suggesting hormones aren’t the main factor. The study points to stress and other emotional triggers as more likely reasons behind the urge, showing that cravings can affect anyone, regardless of hormone levels.
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