1 What is stress?

Where in your body do you notice stress? What does it feel like?

Have a go at matching these stress symptoms to the corresponding part of the body.

Select your stress symptoms

Light headed, fuzzy thinking, forgetfulness
Constant worrying thoughts
Disorganisation
Inability to focus
Headaches
Racing, pounding
Butterflies, churning, somersaults
Needing to go to the toilet urgently
Shaking, sweating
Head
Light headed, fuzzy thinking, forgetfulness
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
Constant worrying thoughts
Constant worrying thoughts can be a sign of an anxiety disorder.
Head
Disorganisation
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
Inability to focus
Stress hormones and worrying thoughts that distract you from the present moment make it hard to stay focused.
Head
Headaches
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
Racing, pounding
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
Butterflies, churning, somersaults
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
Needing to go to the toilet urgently
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
Shaking, sweating
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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