7 signs you could be chronically stressed

What is chronic stress? 

Stress is a normal part of life, and in small doses it can even help us perform at our best. For example, we might experience increased productivity before an important work deadline. However, chronic stress occurs when we’re overstimulated by stress over a long period of time.

It develops when your body remains in a sustained state of tension or alertness due to constant, ongoing pressures, rather than short-term challenges.

While chronic stress itself is not a formal medical diagnosis, it is a recognised condition that can significantly affect wellbeing and may contribute to or coexist with other health issues such as anxiety disorders, depression, insomnia or burnout.

Healthcare professionals assess chronic stress by reviewing symptoms, lifestyle factors, and, in some cases, physical health indicators such as blood pressure, weight changes or hormone levels.

Recognising chronic stress

Recognising the symptoms of chronic stress can help you get the help you need before it affects your daily life and relationships. If you experience persistent headaches, palpitations, insomnia or digestive issues, it’s always worth seeking advice from your GP.

1. Cardiovascular issues 

Symptoms that affect your heart, such as a racing heart or increased blood pressure, may indicate chronic stress. These can be signs that you are in a fight-or-flight response.

When you feel stressed, hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline are released, and they can have various effects on your body. If you notice any changes in your heart rhythm, it’s always advisable to get them checked with a GP or cardiac specialist.

2. Muscle tension or pain

When you feel stressed, muscle tension can be quite common. Ongoing stress keeps muscles in a semi-contracted state, particularly around the neck, shoulders and back. This can lead you to feel tense, and is usually an early sign that you are suffering from chronic stress.

Constant tension or pain can make it harder for you to relax. Increased pressure and periods of poor sleep can make these symptoms worse.

3. Tension headaches

Muscle pain can be a trigger for tension headaches, which often feel like a band of pain or a dull aching sensation on both sides of the head. Stress can also cause sleep disturbances or insomnia, which can contribute to your tension headaches.

These types of headaches can be persistent, and if you experience them, it’s worth getting them checked out by a GP.

4. Digestive problems

Another common sign of chronic stress is abdominal issues, such as bloating. When your body feels stressed, it prioritises energy for muscles and the brain over digestion. This slows down the movement of food through the digestive tract, which allows more time for fermentation by gut bacteria.

It’s this process that produces excess gas that can lead to bloating and make you feel uncomfortable.  

5. Feeling anxious or irritable

Chronic stress can also have a strong emotional impact. Many people find themselves feeling more irritable, angry or tearful than usual, or stuck in a constant state of worry or anxiety that feels difficult to switch off.

Over time, these feelings can lead to a sense of hopelessness or fear and may begin to affect confidence, focus, motivation and everyday decision-making.

6. Skin rash

Stress-related inflammation and hormonal changes can make your skin feel more sensitive and, in some cases, can trigger hives or rashes. You might notice flare-ups appearing more often when you’re under pressure, especially alongside tiredness, poor sleep or feeling run down.

It’s important to have any changes to your skin checked by your GP, especially if symptoms are persistent, worsening or causing concern.

7. Changes in appetite

When people experience stress for a long time, it can change their eating habits. It may affect when they feel hungry and how they think about food each day. Some people lose their appetite and may lose weight without meaning to.

Others might eat for comfort or binge eat to deal with stress and emotional challenges. Recognising any changes in your appetite can be an early warning sign of chronic stress.