Listen, we all get stressed out.

It’s part of life. But sometimes, we tend to bottle up these feelings rather than expressing them or dealing with them head-on.

And while you may think you’re doing a great job at keeping it all under wraps, your body might be screaming otherwise.

Yes, you heard that right.

Stress and anxiety can often manifest in physical ways that you might not even be aware of.

It’s a sneaky little thing, this stress of ours.

So, how do you know if you’re internalizing these feelings more than you realize?

Well, as a psychologist, I’m here to share seven telltale signs to look out for.

1) You’re constantly feeling tired

Let’s start with fatigue, shall we?

You know those days when you’ve had a full night’s sleep, haven’t lifted a finger all day, and yet you still feel like you’ve run a marathon?

Well, that might be stress talking.

See, when you’re dealing with constant, underlying stress, your body is always in “fight or flight” mode.

It’s like your body thinks it’s in some kind of danger and is using up all its energy to protect you.

And guess what?

This can leave you feeling exhausted.

So, if you’re perpetually tired for no apparent reason, check in with yourself about what’s really going on.

2) Your stomach is always in knots

We’ve all been there, right?

For me, it was during my finals week at university. I had studied hard, knew my stuff, and yet my stomach was a mess.

I wasn’t eating anything out of the ordinary, but every meal ended with me feeling queasy.

Sound familiar?

Well, that’s because stress and anxiety can wreak havoc on your digestive system.

That’s right, your worries are not just in your head, but also in your gut.

When we internalize stress, our bodies respond by slowing down digestion, leading to a whole host of problems like:

• Stomachaches
• Constipation
• Diarrhea

So, if you’re finding yourself making frequent trips to the bathroom or battling constant stomach cramps with no obvious cause – it might not be that dodgy sushi you had for lunch.

It could be a sign that you’re internalizing your stress and anxieties.

3) You’re suddenly prone to crying

Here’s a confession.

I was watching a rerun of a sitcom the other day, a light-hearted episode I’ve seen a dozen times before.

And out of nowhere, I found myself tearing up over the silliest scene.

Yeah, I cried over a sitcom.

So, what’s up with that?

Well, it turns out, crying at the drop of a hat could be another sign that you’re internalizing stress.

When we keep our feelings bottled up, they need to find an outlet and sometimes, it’s through those unexpected tears.

It’s as if your body is saying, “Hey, you’re not listening to me, so maybe this will get your attention!”

4) You’re experiencing frequent headaches

Ever have those days when your head just won’t stop pounding?

You’ve had plenty of water, you’ve taken your usual coffee, and you can’t recall hitting your head on anything.

Yet, there it is – a headache that simply won’t quit.

This could be another sign that you’re internalizing stress.

Stress headaches, also known as tension headaches, are a real thing.

They are often the result of muscle contractions in the head and neck region, and guess what triggers these contractions?

That’s right, stress!

5) Your sleep pattern is all over the place

Have you ever tried counting sheep, drinking warm milk, or even the latest sleep-inducing meditation app, but still found yourself tossing and turning all night?

Trust me, you’re not alone.

When stress and anxiety are bottled up, they can disrupt your sleep in a big way. You might:

• Find it hard to fall asleep
• Wake up frequently during the night
• Wake up feeling like you haven’t slept at all

Here’s an interesting nugget: Sleep is the first thing that gets hit when stress levels rise.

It’s one of the body’s ways of saying something’s off balance.

So, if your sleep pattern is more erratic than a roller coaster ride, it might be a sign that you’re internalizing your stress and anxieties more than you realize.

And no, unfortunately, counting more sheep probably won’t help.

6) You’re feeling more irritable than usual

We all have our off days, don’t we?

Those times when the smallest things seem to tick us off: The car in front of us is driving too slow, the coffee shop messed up our order, or maybe the Wi-Fi’s acting up again.

If you’re noticing that these little hiccups are getting to you more than they usually do, it could be a sign that you’re carrying around a lot of unexpressed stress and anxiety.

And that’s okay.

We’re human. We feel things deeply.

And sometimes, stress can make the world feel like it’s against us, even when it’s not.

7) You’re struggling to concentrate

Stress and anxiety, when internalized, can seriously mess with your ability to focus.

You might find yourself:

• Reading the same page over and over
• Forgetting things more often
• Finding it hard to keep your mind on task

This isn’t just about being a little forgetful or distracted – it’s a sign that your mind is preoccupied with the stress and anxiety you’ve been stuffing down.

When it comes to your mental wellbeing, this is a big red flag.

If you’re noticing this kind of consistent difficulty in concentration, it’s time to stop, take a deep breath, and address the stress you’ve been carrying around.

Because let’s face it – you deserve to have peace of mind.

And acknowledging the signs is the first step towards achieving it.

The takeaway

Many of us carry stress in hidden ways without fully realizing the impact it has on our daily lives.

However, the good news is that acknowledging these patterns offers a path toward healthier coping strategies.

Whether it’s by setting boundaries, practicing mindfulness, or seeking support, there are countless ways to address internalized stress with compassion and care. 

Start by tuning into yourself.

Pay attention to how your body reacts to stress, to those headaches or sleepless nights.

Be mindful of your emotional state, of increased irritability or unexpected tears.

Take a moment each day to check in with yourself.

How are you really feeling? What’s causing you stress? What can you do about it?

And remember, it’s okay to seek help. Reach out to a trusted friend or consider professional assistance.

You don’t have to manage this all on your own.

Here’s to taking control of our stress, one step at a time.