16/11/2025
**The Most Common Emotional and Cognitive Symptoms of Short-Term Stress*
When you’re under a lot of stress, you may find that you’re more emotional than usual — or crankier. Here are some signs to look for:[1]
Anxiety or nervousness — in the American Psychological Association’s (APA) 2017 Stress in America survey, 36 percent of people report that stress makes them feel more nervous or anxious.[6]
Anger or irritability — in the APA survey, 35 percent of people report this.
Difficulty concentrating or forgetfulness
Depression, low mood, or crying
Fatigue
Withdrawn mood
Feeling overwhelmed
Difficulty sleeping — in the APA survey, 45 percent of people report lying awake during the previous month.
A change in eating habits or appetite (eating much more or less)
An increase in alcohol or drug use
All those stress hormones also have an effect on your body. Here are some of the most common physical symptoms of stress:[4]
Muscular tension (tight shoulders, back, or jaw)
Headache
Gastrointestinal symptoms, including acid reflux, stomachache, constipation, or diarrhea
Increased blood pressure and heart rate
Sweating
Dry mouth
Heart palpitations or arrhythmia
Lowered immunity — you may be more prone to infection.
Skin rashes
