Stress is something everyone deals with, so you might be inclined to not give it much thought. However, stress is bad for your health, and the longer you’re stressed, the higher the toll it takes. Here are several signs your body sends to let you know you’re too stressed.

Sickness

Do you frequently get colds or other illnesses? Your stress level may be to blame. Stress weakens the immune system because it triggers the production of cortisol. Cortisol can be useful since it regulates metabolism, helps control blood pressure and more. It becomes less useful when your body chronically has high levels of it. This is when your health begins to suffer and you become more susceptible to illness. High levels of cortisol can also lead to several diseases, like Cushing’s disease and osteoporosis.

Hair Loss

Hair loss is another sign you’re stressed. It’s normal to lose 50 to 100 strands of hair per day. When you’re stressed, though, your body produces more androgens, which can attack your hair follicles, causing your hair to fall out faster. If you notice that you’re losing more hair than you usually do, stress could be to blame. Fortunately, keeping stress under control lowers the androgen rate and your hair has time to recover. In the meantime, you can use hair loss concealers or clip-in extensions to cover up the loss until your hair grows back.

Never-Ending Headache

If you have a constant headache near your temples, stress could be causing it. Stress can also cause pain in your jaw, neck and back. That said, never-ending headaches can be also be a symptom of serious medical conditions, so before assuming your headache is stress-related, consult your GP to get a diagnosis and correct treatment.

Acne

Excess androgens don’t only cause hair loss. It also contributes to acne. Even worse, stress can cause inflammation, which also can cause acne. Basically, if you’re stressed, you’ll probably break out, and no one likes a breakout reminiscent of their teenage years. You can use both oral and topical medications to treat acne, but managing your stress can also reduce your issues with acne.

Chronic stress isn’t something you should ignore because it can lead to several health issues, from anxiety and depression to heart disease, weight gain and memory impairment. If you notice any of the above signs happening in your life, take stock of your stress levels and then take steps to de-stress.