7 Ways Your Body Is Telling You You're Stressed

As well as obvious mental signs, such as anxiety or insomnia, tension can bring on surprising physical symptoms

- Susannah Hickling

1. Spots

When you’re stressed your brain releases the hormones adrenaline and cortisol, sending blood rushing to your heart, other vital organs and muscles to help you deal with the situation. But long-term stress can trigger other issues—such as acne. Stress doesn’t cause acne so much as aggravate it if you suffer already. Touching your face when you’re worried might be one reason you get a breakout.

2. Cold sores

Again, cold sores aren’t caused by stress but by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). But when you’re under pressure, they’re more likely to pop up—and make you feel even worse about yourself. Dab on acyclovir, an antiviral cold sore cream which can be bought at a pharmacy, as soon as you feel that tell-tale tingling or itching.