Signs that you’re stressed (that you might not be aware of)

By Subomi Lawal

If you’re not always busy, then you must not be working hard enough. Does this thought sound familiar? If so, you’re certainly not alone. There seems to be a proliferation of the “always on” culture that has now become ‘the norm’ in our society. Consequently, we may become accustomed to these hectic lifestyles, often forgetting to take a breather. And with this, it’s easy to overlook the signs of stress that our mind and body may be trying to communicate.

However, this does not imply that all stress is bad for us. In fact, research shows that moderate, short-term stress can actually increase alertness and performance. The key thing to note here is “moderate, short-term stress” as long-term stress can wear you down and lead to burnout. Knowing the signs and symptoms of stress is the first step towards managing it, though it may be a bit more difficult to recognise than you believe. Most of us are so used to being stressed that we don't even realise we're stressed until it's too late.

So, what are the signs of stress that you might not be aware of?

1.     Procrastination

Stress and procrastination can often be described as having a reciprocal relationship. They facilitate each other, suggesting two ways that procrastination can be linked with stress: 1) Avoiding a task which then leads to stress, or 2) Avoiding a task due to being stressed. Either way, it can be seen how the relationship between stress and procrastination exists, making it a hidden sign of stress. You can learn more about procrastination in our article “What Kind of Procrastinator Am I?” here.

2.     Avoiding others

When we’re stressed, we often isolate ourselves from the outside world and do not come out until our never-ending task list is complete. If this is you, you might use the “busy life” excuse to avoid spending time with others, often doing this unintentionally and unknowingly too. This is because we often believe that spending time with others will distract us from what we need to do, and consequently make us busier than we already are. Avoiding others is one of the more subtle symptoms of stress because we often believe we are doing the right thing. However, we can’t forget that spending time with others and making time for human connection is also productive in its own way.

3.     Constant Worrying

Though often highly associated with each other, worry and stress are slightly different. Worrying is an emotional feeling that happens in the mind, whilst stress can be seen as the result of that feeling and what subsequently happens in your body. Job interviews, exams, and other daily pressures can often be breeding grounds for worry. Moreover, when worries become extreme and constant, a stress reaction is likely to be triggered. Therefore, in instances where you begin to notice that you’re constantly worrying about something, this could be a preliminary sign that you’re stressed and may need to take a step back to recharge.

Lastly, it is important to remember that feeling stressed is very normal, especially whilst being at university. Short-term stress can often be a motivator to get tasks done, however, if accumulated over time, long-term stress can have a substantial impact on your life and wellbeing. That is why being able to recognise stress early on can enable you to address the causes, prevent subsequent burnout, and return to a healthy and happy you.