Life can feel like a nonstop balancing act, especially for women juggling careers, families, and personal goals.
Ever find yourself snapping at small things or constantly feeling on edge? You might be stressed and not even know it.
Stress has a sneaky way of creeping into daily life, often disguising itself in habits we overlook.
In this article, we’ll uncover those hidden stress signals, helping you recognize and address them.
Ready to take a closer look?
Let’s dive in—you might just discover a few surprises about yourself.
1) Constantly checking the phone
We’ve all been there. You’re sitting at home or in your office, and suddenly you find your hand reaching out for your phone. Before you know it, you’re scrolling through social media or checking emails.
This might be a habit you’re unknowingly indulging in more often than you realize. It’s like a reflex, an automatic response to stress or anxiety. And while it might seem harmless, constantly checking your phone can actually increase feelings of tension and stress.
So the next time you find yourself reaching for that device, take a moment to ask yourself why. Are you really expecting an important message, or are you just looking for a distraction from your feelings of tension?
2) Skipping meals
Ever found yourself so wrapped up in work or other commitments that you simply ‘forget’ to eat? Or maybe, when stress levels rise, you just don’t feel hungry?
If this sounds familiar, you might be falling into the habit of skipping meals. When you’re always on edge, it’s easy to overlook the importance of regular, nutritious food.
But here’s the thing: skipping meals can make your stress and tension even worse.
Your body needs fuel to function properly; without it, your energy levels dip and your ability to cope with stress decreases. Not to mention, your body goes into ‘survival mode’, storing fat and slowing down your metabolism.
So, no matter how busy or stressed you are, try not to skip meals. Your body (and your mind) will thank you for it!
3) Over-caffeinating
I’m a coffee lover, I admit it. There’s nothing quite like the smell of freshly ground coffee in the morning. But there was a time when I was drinking way too much of it.
When stress and tension became my constant companions, I found myself reaching for that coffee mug more often than usual. It felt like caffeine was the only thing keeping me going.
But here’s what I didn’t realize back then: over-caffeinating can actually make you feel more tense and on edge. Too much caffeine can trigger your ‘fight or flight’ response, leading to feelings of anxiety and restlessness.
So, I had to learn to limit my caffeine intake. Now, I stick to one or two cups a day and try to drink more water instead. Trust me, it wasn’t easy at first, but it’s made a big difference in how I handle stress.
4) Not getting enough sleep
Here’s an interesting fact: did you know that adults need between 7 and 9 hours of sleep each night for optimal health? Yet, so many of us don’t get anywhere near that amount.
When you’re constantly feeling on edge, sleep may seem like a luxury you can’t afford. You might be staying up late to finish work or even lying awake at night because of stress.
But skimping on sleep is a habit that can actually make your tension worse. Lack of sleep affects your mood, energy levels, and ability to handle stress.
So, try to make sleep a priority. Your body and mind need it to recharge and deal with the stresses of everyday life. A good night’s sleep could be the key to feeling less tense and more relaxed.
5) Putting others’ needs before your own
This one hits close to home for so many of us, doesn’t it? As women, we often find ourselves in the role of caregivers, whether it’s for our children, partners, parents, or even friends. We’re always there for others, sometimes at the expense of our own needs.
You might be prioritizing others’ needs and neglecting your own. This can leave you feeling drained and stressed out, as you constantly try to meet everyone else’s expectations while your own needs go unmet.
It’s not selfish to take care of yourself. In fact, it’s necessary.
You can’t pour from an empty cup. So start making your own well-being a priority. You deserve to feel good and live without constant tension just as much as anyone else.
6) Ignoring self-care
I’ll be honest, for a long time, I didn’t really get the whole ‘self-care’ thing. I thought it was just about bubble baths and face masks.
But I realized I had been neglecting a crucial part of my well-being.
I was so focused on work, family, and other responsibilities that I forgot to take care of myself. I was always the last on my priority list, if I even made the list at all.
Here’s what I’ve learned: self-care is not just about pampering yourself (though that’s nice too!). It’s about taking time to do things that make you feel good, whether that’s going for a run, reading a book, or simply sitting quietly with a cup of tea.
Once I started incorporating self-care into my routine, I noticed a significant drop in my tension levels. So take it from me, don’t ignore self-care. It’s not a luxury, it’s a necessity.
7) Pretending everything is fine
Let’s cut to the chase here. Sometimes, life is a mess. It’s chaotic, overwhelming, and downright hard.
But we’ve all been there, smiling through the chaos, pretending everything is just peachy.
When you’re constantly feeling tense and on edge, you might be putting up a facade. It’s like you’re wearing a mask, hiding your true feelings from the world.
Why? Maybe because you don’t want to appear weak. Or maybe because you feel like you should have it all together.
But let’s be real here: none of us have it all together.
Pretending everything is fine when it’s not only adds to your tension and stress. It’s exhausting and isolating.
So here’s a little reminder: It’s okay to not be okay. It’s okay to ask for help.
And most importantly, it’s okay to let that mask slip every once in a while. You’re human, after all.
8) Working through breaks
Here’s a surprising fact: did you know that taking regular breaks can actually increase your productivity? It may sound counterintuitive, especially when you’re swamped with work and feeling the pressure.
You might be in the habit of working through your breaks. You might feel like you can’t afford to take a breather, that every minute counts.
But research has shown that taking short breaks can help refresh your mind, increase your focus, and reduce stress. So, skipping those breaks isn’t doing you any favors.
Next time you find yourself working through lunch or ignoring that ‘time for a break’ reminder, remember this fact. A short break could be just what you need to reduce tension and get back in the game.
9) Worrying about the future
This is something I’ve struggled with for a long time. I used to spend so much time worrying about the future that I forgot to live in the present.
You might be spending too much time thinking about what’s going to happen next. What if this happens? What if that doesn’t work out?
But here’s what I’ve learned: worrying about the future doesn’t change it. All it does is steal your peace in the present moment.
So now, whenever I find myself getting caught up in ‘what ifs’, I try to bring myself back to the present moment. It’s not always easy, but it’s helped me feel less tense and more at peace. Maybe it could help you too.
10) Avoiding emotions
Life can throw some pretty tough stuff our way. And sometimes, it’s easier to shove those feelings down instead of dealing with them.
When you’re constantly tense and on edge, you might be avoiding your emotions. Pushing them away, pretending they don’t exist.
But burying your feelings doesn’t make them disappear. In fact, it can create a pressure cooker situation where everything eventually explodes.
So here’s some raw honesty: It’s okay to feel. It’s okay to be angry, sad, frustrated or scared. These feelings don’t make you weak, they make you human.
11) Neglecting physical activity
Let’s get real here. When you’re stressed out, going for a jog or hitting the gym is probably the last thing on your mind.
But neglecting physical activity only adds to the tension you’re feeling.
Exercise isn’t just about staying in shape, it’s a powerful stress reliever too. It releases endorphins, those feel-good chemicals that can help ease tension and promote relaxation.
So maybe it’s time to dust off those running shoes or unroll that yoga mat. Your body and mind will thank you for it.
12) Constantly striving for perfection
Perfection is a myth. There, I said it. Yet so many of us are constantly striving for it, beating ourselves up when we fall short.
Setting impossibly high standards for yourself and then feeling stressed when you don’t meet them.
But nobody’s perfect. We all make mistakes, we all have flaws, and that’s okay. It’s what makes us human.
So give yourself a break. Let go of that need for perfection and start embracing your beautifully imperfect self. It might just be the key to releasing that tension you’ve been carrying around.
