Untangling Stress: Uncommon Signals and Steps Towards Calm to Feel Better Today
Stress is a silent marauder that slips into our lives, often unnoticed, subtly impacting our behaviors, thoughts, and emotions before we realize it. Here are five uncommon indicators that you might be wrestling with stress more than you perceive, signs that may illuminate the need to seek professional assistance from a clinical psychologist or licensed therapist. .
1. Incessant Perfectionism
If you find yourself obsessed with every detail, striving for unattainable perfection each time, stress might be pulling the strings. Perfectionism can be driven by underlying anxieties about failure or judgement. A therapist can help discern if this is striving for perfection is healthy ambition or stress cloaked in high standards.
2. Gastrointestinal Issues
Stress doesn't just dwell in our minds; it often manifests physically in the body, particularly in our gut. If you're facing persistent digestive problems without a clear medical reason, it's worth considering how stress might be the culprit. Understanding and processing this stress can alleviate both physical and mental discomforts.
3. Memory Challenges
Are you struggling with recall or forgetting things that you usually remember! It might not be a simple "brain fog' instead this could be an imprint left by stress. Stress has sneaky ways of impacting our cognitive functioning, especially memory. Partnering with a mental health professional can help you decode and manage these cognitive effects of stress.
4. Overcompensating on 'Me Time'
Consciously scheduling 'me time' is essential for self-care. However, when frequent solitude slips into isolation, and social activities feel overwhelming, it might be a counterintuitive stress response. Striking a balance between solitude and social engagement is key, and a psychologist can guide you in maintaining this balance during stressful periods.
5. The Intrusion of Work Thoughts
If you frequently ruminate about work even during downtime, you may be dealing with hidden stress. Inability to switch-off mentally can mean that stress is eating into your personal time, affecting your work-life balance and peace of mind. Therapeutic interventions can help you compartmentalize effectively, restoring your mental tranquility.
Stress is complex, elusive, and can be daunting to deal with alone. Recognizing these uncommon signals is the first step towards gaining clarity, processing stress, and reclaiming control of your life. A clinical psychologist or therapist can walk with you on this journey, equipping you with strategies to untie the knots of stress one step at a time. Remember, reaching out for help isn't weakness; it's an act of strength and self-compassion.
If you found this post "Untangling Stress: Uncommon Signals and Steps Towards Calm to Feel Better Today" to be helpful and you are looking for professional help in the 805 and surrounding areas, please contact our office by email or phone. We are happy to provide resources, support, or book a session for you at your earliest convenience.
Your Team at Elevate Mental Health
805.244.6919
