Physical Signs Shallow Breathing Fatigue Tight Stomach Tight/Cramping Muscles Inconsistent Sleep Patterns Cold Sweats Shaking Trembling Hyperventilating Dry Mouth/Throat Difficulty Swallowing Rapid Heartbeat Constipation/Diarrhea

Emotional Nervous Fear Lack of Humor Hostile/Anger Impatient Depressed Anxious Worried Tearful

Psychological Disoriented Confusion Unable to Concentrate Negative Thoughts Low Self Esteem Low Sex Drive Forgetfulness Feeling Unreal Doubt No Motivation Loss of Interest Inability to Make a Decision

There is some amount of stress in everyone's life but we can cope with low levels. Over the years, even low levels of stress can build up and hamper the way we act and feel.

You might be going off to work on a sunny morning and feeling just right. You stop for a traffic light and the light changes to green. You don't react immediately. Well now, the vehicle behind you is equipped with a driver who is running late and doesn't want to get chewed out by his car-pooling buddies, and later his boss, because he started his day on a late note. He immediately lays on the horn to give you a jolt of "get with it". You haven't pulled away yet but were just about to. After hearing the horn, and before you pull away you look around and into the rear view mirror to check that the way is clear for you to proceed and curious to know if it was you that was getting the blast. You take another quick glance at the light, see that you have the right-of way and drive ahead.

This all happens in a few seconds but it's not only you who felt that initial charge through your body when the nasty horn let go, but everyone within listening range went through the same cautious "I hope it's not me" feeling. That's an added small level of stress for anyone in the area.

This is just one possible stressful occurrence and there can be many throughout our day...it's how you deal with things like this that makes the difference. If you were stopped at the light, all stressed from the day before, had a lousy nights sleep, had small problems in the morning with the kids and then the scene at the stop light....well... things might have slapped you in the face and you would have reacted more negatively. It would also last much longer during your daily chores.

Stress can be a bad thing when it it's not addressed and dealt with.