Have a go at matching these stress symptoms to the corresponding part of the body.
Select your stress symptoms
Clenched jaw
Sweaty palms
Butterflies in belly
Fidgety
Racing thoughts
Low energy
Headaches
Dry mouth
Forgetting things
Fast heart beat
Chest pain
Tight muscles
Head
Clenched jaw
When you are stressed, the brain releases hormones that affect your respiratory and cardiovascular systems. These hormones narrow your blood vessels, raise your heart rate, and cause rapid, shallow breathing.
Head
Sweaty palms
Constant worrying thoughts can be a sign of an anxiety disorder.
Head
Butterflies in belly
Often when you’re stressed, your mind is thinking about the past or future. This makes it hard to stay focused and organised. Interestingly, disorganisation and clutter can also cause stress.
Head
Fidgety
Stress hormones and worrying thoughts that distract you from the present moment make it hard to stay focused.
Head
Racing thoughts
The stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline can cause headaches. When you’re stressed, your muscles can tighten. When this happens in your shoulders, it can cause tension headaches. Lack of sleep, clenching your jaw and grinding your teeth are also stress related causes of a headache.
Heart
Low energy
Your heart races when you’re stressed because the body pumps a hormone around your body which increases your breathing rate and raises your blood pressure.
Stomach
Headaches
Our stomachs are very sensitive and contain lots of nerves. When you’re stressed, your body releases hormones and chemicals into your digestive tract where they interfere with your digestion.
Bladder / Bowel
Dry mouth
Stress will activate your body’s flight or fight system. This can build pressure in the body, making you need to go to the toilet.
Hands
Forgetting things
Stress causes Epinephrine (also known as adrenaline) to pump through your body. It directs blood to your skeletal muscles to prepare them for the flight or fight response and protect you from danger. This can lead to trembling, twitching or shaking.
Hands
Fast heart beat
Stress causes Epinephrine (also known as adrenaline) to pump through your body. It directs blood to your skeletal muscles to prepare them for the flight or fight response and protect you from danger. This can lead to trembling, twitching or shaking.
Hands
Chest pain
Stress causes Epinephrine (also known as adrenaline) to pump through your body. It directs blood to your skeletal muscles to prepare them for the flight or fight response and protect you from danger. This can lead to trembling, twitching or shaking.
Hands
Tight muscles
Stress causes Epinephrine (also known as adrenaline) to pump through your body. It directs blood to your skeletal muscles to prepare them for the flight or fight response and protect you from danger. This can lead to trembling, twitching or shaking.
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