Here Are 14 Signs Of  Dangerous Stress Levels That You May Not Realize

Today is National Stress Awareness Day, and many of us suffer from chronic stress, unfortunately. According to Gallup’s December 2023 poll, nearly half of U.S. adults, 49%, reported frequently feeling stressed out and lethargic. While we know of simple ways to manage stress, like exercising, hanging out with friends, or consistently speaking with a trusted advisor or therapist about issues that are causing you strife, sometimes we don’t realize the signs of our stress levels reaching dangerous heights, which can be detrimental to you physically and mentally. 

Additionally, April is Stress Awareness Month, and it’s a crucial time to highlight the often-overlooked signs of dangerously high stress levels, particularly among Black women. Therapist Nikquan Lewis believes chronic stress can lead to anxiety and depression as well as exacerbate other chronic health issues. “People of color have a higher risk of what’s known as high-functioning depression and anxiety, where individuals appear to manage the day-to-day duties efficiently but are silently struggling while oftentimes being unaware because operating in this manner is the “norm.” High-functioning stress, depression, and anxiety are fueled by the belief systems that we’ve been taught, whether it’s from learned behavior, generational dysfunction,” she says to ESSENCE.

“Thoughts and feelings fuel behavior and beliefs like these, which lead us to ignore and eventually no longer recognize what can be dangerous signs of stress levels.” Lewis also believes it’s essential to recognize these signs to learn how to manage the dangerous impacts of stress and have necessary open discussions. “It’s essential to have open discussions about stress management in our community, where the stigma around mental health can prevent many from seeking help. High-functioning depression and anxiety are prevalent issues that often go unchecked because the visible signs of struggle are not as apparent,” she said. 

For this month and beyond, we’re encouraging conversations on recognizing stress, implementing effective life rel=”tag”>stress stress relief

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