In recent years, a number of studies have found that severe untreated stress can be as serious a health risk as smoking or obesity. However, one of the reasons stress is so pernicious is that it doesn’t have the same obvious physical symptoms as those conditions. There are some obvious signs of stress, such as insomnia, irritability and fatigue. But as this article notes, some signs of stress are so subtle that you might not realize how tense you are until you visit your doctor and find out that your blood pressure has become worryingly high. For example, muscle spasms, memory problems, frequent stomachaches and deteriorating productivity at work are all subtle symptoms of stress.

As such, it’s a good idea to take stop and reflect every once in a while to see if you’ve been acting differently recently without knowing it. Along similar lines, it’s a good idea to make certain relaxing activities a part of your regular schedule as a way to control the amount of stress in your life before it adversely affects your quality of life. Doing things like performing breathing exercises, practicing yoga, taking up meditation, adopting a healthier diet and spending at least 20 minutes in a massage chair every few days can help keep your stress level nominal, even if you’re not actively aware of it.

Read the full article here: Tips and Strategies for Managing the Stress in Your Life