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Managing stress can be challenging.

Sometimes it’s easy to tell when you are under stress, but other times we have so much going on, we don’t notice the ways stress is affecting our feelings, bodies, and behavior.

How you might feel if you are dealing with stress:

  • Irritable, aggressive, impatient, or wound up
  • Anxious, nervous, or afraid
  • Like your thoughts are racing
  • Unable to enjoy yourself
  • Like you’ve lost your sense of humor

How your body might be affected if you are dealing with stress:

  • Shallow breathing or hyperventilating
  • Muscle tension
  • Problems getting to sleep, staying asleep, or having nightmares
  • Headaches
  • Chest pains

How you might behave differently if you are dealing with stress:

  • Eating too much or too little
  • Finding it hard to make decisions
  • Avoiding situations that are troubling you
  • Snapping at people
  • Restless, like you can’t sit still

There are many ways to reduce or relieve stress, such as practicing mindfulness and positive self-talk, exercising regularly, or maintaining a healthy diet. If you have trouble managing your stress, or if it is negatively impacting your life, consider talking with a professional to learn some tools and coping skills to help you feel your best.