How do I recognize signs of chronic stress in myself?

Chronic stress often shows up in both physical and mental patterns that persist over weeks or months. Physically, watch for frequent headaches, muscle tension especially in your neck and shoulders, disrupted sleep, digestive issues, getting sick more often, or constant fatigue that rest doesn't fix. Mentally and behaviorally, notice if you feel persistently irritable, anxious, or emotionally numb. Difficulty concentrating, forgetting things more than usual, withdrawing from people, losing interest in things you normally enjoy, or relying more on alcohol, food, or screens to cope are all warning signs. The key distinction from normal stress is persistence and intensity. If these patterns have lasted more than a few weeks and are affecting your daily functioning, that's worth taking seriously.