Symptoms Of Stress Worksheet
GinaMarie Guarino, LMHC
Stress is a natural part of life. We all feel stressed sometimes, whether it is due to work, relationships, or dealing with life's challenges. Some people can manage stress well, while others struggle to cope.
If left unaddressed, stress can lead to other issues, like anxiety, depression, low motivation, and relationship challenges. That is why it is important to practice healthy stress management skills when dealing with life stressors.
Learning about the warning signs of stress can be an important part of therapy. It helps clients recognize their symptoms early, which encourages timely intervention.
About This Worksheet
Stress can cause many different types of symptoms, and oftentimes, people do not know that their symptoms are due to stress. Common symptoms of stress are listed on the Symptoms of Stress worksheet. It is a checklist that can be used to help a client identify the ways that their body and mind respond to stress.
The Symptoms of Stress worksheet provides a simple tool for helping the client recognize the ways stress may affect them. It can be used with adolescents and adults who are struggling with anxiety and stress management issues, and is appropriate for individual and group therapy settings.
Instructions
The Symptoms of Stress worksheet highlights 20 common signs people may experience when under stress. Begin by providing a brief explanation of how unmanaged stress can lead to other issues, like mood swings, relationship challenges, and mental health challenges. Then, introduce the worksheet to the client.
Instruct the client to place a check mark next to each symptom of stress they tend to experience. Review their answers with them, asking reflection questions, like:
- How early do you tend to notice your symptoms of stress?
- How do you feel about your ability to manage stress right now?
- What do you usually do when you feel overwhelmed with stress?
Provide the client with a copy of the worksheet and instruct them to review it when they suspect they may become overwhelmed with stress. Use the worksheet to prepare for learning healthy stress management skills.
References
Mayo Clinic Staff. (2023, August 10). Stress symptoms: Effects on your body and behavior. Mayo Clinic.
National Institute of Mental Health. (2022, November). I'm so stressed out! Fact sheet. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health.
