How about excessive mental stress

Excessive mental stress may lead to anxiety, insomnia, gastrointestinal disorders, and other problems. Long term high pressure can also increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and depression. The main manifestations of excessive stress include emotional fluctuations, decreased attention, muscle tension, weakened immunity, and social avoidance.

1. Emotional fluctuations

Continuous high pressure can interfere with the balance of neurotransmitters in the brain, leading to a decrease in emotional regulation ability. Typical symptoms include irritability, restlessness, or low mood, and some people may experience uncontrollable crying impulses. This state may further affect interpersonal relationships and form a vicious cycle of stress.

2. Decreased Attention

Continuous secretion of stress hormones can impair the function of the prefrontal cortex, manifested as memory loss, decision-making difficulties, and reduced work efficiency. Some people may experience rumination and repetitive thinking about the same problem, and excessive brain activity at night can also lead to difficulty falling asleep.

3. Muscle tension

Long term stress in the body can cause sustained muscle contractions, commonly resulting in shoulder and neck stiffness, headaches, or back pain. This somatic reaction may be accompanied by unconscious movements such as hand tremors and grinding teeth, and the inability to relax muscles at night can also affect sleep quality.

4. Decreased immunity

Chronic stress can inhibit immune cell activity, manifested as recurrent colds, oral ulcers, or skin allergies. Research shows that individuals with sustained high stress have slower wound healing rates and weaker antibody responses to vaccines compared to the general population.

5. Social Avoidance

When under stress, the brain activates protective mechanisms, manifested as refusing social interaction, avoiding communication, or overly relying on solitude. This state may be accompanied by reactions such as sensitivity to noise and fear of crowds, and long-term isolation may exacerbate depressive tendencies.

It is recommended to regulate stress response through regular sleep and moderate exercise, ensure 7 hours of sleep every day, and try mindfulness breathing or progressive muscle relaxation training. Increase the intake of whole grains and dark green vegetables rich in vitamin B family in diet, and limit caffeine and alcohol intake. When experiencing persistent palpitations, unexplained pain, or prolonged low mood for more than two weeks, it is necessary to seek professional help from a psychological or psychosomatic medicine department in a timely manner. Establishing a stable social support system and regularly engaging in deep communication with family and friends can also help relieve stress.