Recognize stress. Obviously, some stress is good for us — it adds interest, excitement and motivation to life, in the right balance.[1] It is when the level of stress in your life causes you to put up with things that are harming or distressing you constantly that you risk sliding into being too stressed. You could be too stressed if:
All you do and think about is work, non-stop. It might be your own business, a career, a salaried position, a stay-at-home mom or dad position, or anything else that is soaking up your time and life one hundred percent, and this over-concentration is leaving you passionless, disappointed, unhappy, and unfulfilled.
You experience constant body tension, including headaches, neck aches, back aches, and general soreness.[2]
You're often irritable, short-tempered, and perhaps unable to focus on completing tasks. Trivial things set you off easily.
You feel as if you have too much going on and that you can't hop off the merry-go-round.
Your sleep is a battlefield and you wake up feeling less rested rather than refreshed. Insomnia has become your norm rather than an unusual event.
You're eating too much or too little. Or, you are choosing unhealthy food options.
You're drinking too little water.
You can't remember the last time you had a good laugh and your sense of humor is sadly lackin