9 Signs Your Body Is Physically Rejecting The Life You're Currently Living
LightField Studios / Shutterstock Life is hard and exhausting. We often see people online make it look easy to have it all, but the reality is they are probably overworking themselves too, and they are dealing with their own set of problems.
If you notice every day feels a little more difficult than the last, your body may be trying to tell you that it’s time to slow down by physically rejecting the kind of life you're working so hard to live. Not only are your relationships likely becoming strained, but when you don't get enough rest to start each day with a clear mind, your immune system weakens, and your body fights back.
If you notice these signs, your body may be physically rejecting the life you are currently living
1. You’re always exhausted
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Exhaustion might be the first sign that your current way of life is taking a toll on your body. When you are overdoing it every day, you may end up living in a state of constant fatigue. This is unexplained and chronic tiredness that doesn’t seem to stop. Someone dealing with fatigue may feel drowsy and low-energy, and they may also have trouble remembering things, often referred to as brain fog.
Physiological fatigue occurs when we push ourselves too hard. Sometimes, exhaustion can stem from underlying health issues, but if you're overworking yourself and not eating well, it's likely a sign that your body is struggling to keep up with you.
2. Your muscles are tense
Has your body ever hurt without any clear reason why? Usually, aches and pains arrive after we work out too hard or hurt ourselves. When our bodies are under constant stress, it can show in how tense our muscles feel. We may not realize how much it impacts our physical health.
When we are stressed for a long period, our muscles never relax, leading to reduced blood flow, soreness, and tight knots. It can also be the body’s defense mechanism when we're feeling overwhelmed, as it may tighten to protect us from injury.
3. You can’t sleep
It may sound odd that when you’re overly exhausted, you can still struggle to fall asleep. Insomnia is a symptom of stress. Even when you want those important hours of sleep, your mind may be running a mile a minute. Whether you’re thinking about tomorrow or picturing everything that can go wrong, your mind is directly linked to your ability to sleep.
A high-anxiety environment is detrimental to our sleep health. When we’re stressed, our negative thoughts begin to consume us. We can’t turn them off to get a good night’s sleep. Instead, we stay stuck in a cycle of exhaustion without rest.
4. Your jaw is often clenched
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I was taking a yoga class one day, and the instructor said to unclench our jaws. I did, and I instantly noticed how tight I had been holding it. It’s not something I was conscious of. I’ve been so used to doing it that it was like second nature. Now, I can sometimes hear her voice in my head telling me to let go of my jaw and relax.
Constantly clenching your jaw can be a sign of stress, and it may be causing you more pain than you realize. It can cause pain not only in the jaw, but also in the head, neck, nose, or mouth. Frequent stress triggers pain and might be a sign that you’re in over your head and need to relax.
5. Your skin is breaking out
Nobody wants to deal with acne breakouts. They impact our self-esteem and cause us to hide behind pimple patches and makeup. This can be especially prevalent in women, and it might be because they are overworking themselves.
A study found a link between acne and stress. Stress can aggravate the skin, whether through excessive oil production or inflammation. High cortisol from stress can change the appearance of our skin. Constant acne breakouts may be a sign you are too stressed to maintain the life you are living.
6. You’re always getting sick
When you are stressed, your body creates a high amount of cortisol. It’s a fight-or-flight response and can have both positive and negative impacts on our health. Too much cortisol can cause weight gain, high blood pressure, and high blood sugar, and reduce the effectiveness of the immune system. This can cause us not only to be cranky, but also to put our health at risk.
A decreased immune system from stress makes you more susceptible to illness. It decreases your white blood cells that help fight off infection. If you’re picking up constant flus or colds, it might be because you’re overly stressed and your immune system can’t fight off illnesses.
7. You have no patience
I often feel like I’m living in a constant state of stress. I have anxiety, so I am often overthinking what’s going on and what will go wrong next. This causes me to have a short fuse. I’m more likely to snap at someone when I am feeling overwhelmed in my own head. It’s frustrating because I wish I could change that behavior, but it feels almost ingrained in me when I’m enduring it.
When we are angry, it can raise our blood pressure. This can trigger a physical reaction of irritation. When we’re on edge like that, it’s not surprising that we may lash out, unable to control our own feelings. This is often a sign we are pushing ourselves too hard, and taking some of the pressure off daily life could help.
8. Your heart feels like it’s racing
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A racing heart can be scary. Often, our minds go to the worst-case scenario. We assume it’s a heart attack or another serious condition. However, it can also be a sign of overwhelming stress and anxiety. Your body may be trying to tell you that the life you are currently living is causing too much strain.
In a stressful situation, our heart can feel like it’s racing, fluttering, or skipping a beat. If this happens during certain moments but doesn’t last long, it’s a sign that it’s anxiety, not a serious health concern. However, we know how much stress can impact our physical health, so it's important to try to calm yourself down in moments like this, which, of course, is easier said than done.
9. You feel overly emotional
We’ve all had days where even the slightest little thing can make us burst into tears. A stressful day can make us feel like we’re on the edge of losing it all. The tears come, and often, they feel like they can’t be stopped. While occasional crying is good for us, frequent, overly emotional experiences can be a sign that the life you’re living isn’t sustainable.
‘Crying is a process of letting go of emotional pain. However, when you notice it is happening often, it can mean something stressful is being buried under the surface. Instead of working through their problems, they keep themselves busy to distract themselves. However, it all comes out at some point.
Haley Van Horn is a freelance writer with a master’s degree in Humanities, living in Los Angeles. Her focus includes entertainment and lifestyle stories.
