SIGNS YOU MAY BE STRESSED

According to the Prevention, you might be more stressed out than you think. Here are seven random signs you’re dealing with too much stress.

#1.) Weekend Headaches. According to the director of the Washington University Headache Center, a sudden DROP in stress can cause migraines.

—So if you have bad headaches during the weekend when you’re relaxing, it might be because you’re NOT stressed out.

#2.) Bad Cramps. A Harvard study found that women are more than twice as likely to have extremely painful cramps when they’re stressed out.

—Researchers say that exercise is the best remedy, because it helps relieve stress AND menstrual cramps.

#3.) A Sore Jaw. It could be a sign you’re grinding your teeth at night, which is often brought on by stress.

—If you DO grind your teeth, ask your dentist about trying a nighttime mouth guard. It might make you look like an extra from“Revenge of the Nerds” … but mouth guards reduce grinding, or stop it completely, in 70% of patients who use them.

#4.) Bleeding Gums When You Brush Your Teeth. Brazilian researchers analyzed 14 studies, and found that stressed-out people have a higher risk of developing gum disease.

—They think that the hormone cortisol … which your body produces when you’re feeling stressed … might impair your immune system and allow bacteria to invade your gums.

#5.) Itchy Skin. A recent Japanese study of more than 2,000 people found that the ones with chronic itch were twice as likely to be stressed out.

—Obviously the itching itself caused some of the stress, but the researchers think that feeling anxious also aggravates conditions like dermatitis, eczema, and psoriasis.

#6.) Bad Allergies. Some researchers think that stress hormones stimulate the production of a certain blood protein that causes allergic reactions.

—And a 2008 study at Ohio State University found that allergy sufferers had more symptoms after they took a test that was designed to stress them out.

#7.) Stomach Aches. In a study of over 1,900 men and women, the ones with the highest stress levels were more than three times as likely to have abdominal pain.

—Doctors aren’t sure why, but one theory is that the intestines and the brain share nerve pathways, and when your brain reacts to stress, your intestines follow.

SIGNS YOU MAY BE STRESSED

DOES STRESS MAKE U BITCHY?

FROM COSMO: This time of year can try even the sweetest chick's patience — what with crowded stores, too many parties (and hangovers), and annoying family demands — and experts are saying this month will be a "perfect storm" of stress because of financial worries on top of everything else. Here are some strategies for keeping cool:

1. Schedule tasks that are making you anxious — like buying a dress for a party or finishing a tough work assignment — for early in the day. If you leave them for later, you'll spend more time worrying and end up snapping at people.

2. Take a coffee break with friends or coworkers rather than going solo. A study found that getting a caffeine fix in a group lowered stress levels. But sipping coffee alone left people feeling more stressed.

3. Bookmark these sites: CollegeHumor.com and FunnyorDie.com. According to one study, anticipating watching a funny video can reduce stress hormones by up to 70 percent.

4. Practice saying the word no. Women, being social creatures, tend to feel obligated to show up for everything they're invited to. But saying yes to something when you don't really want to go leaves you bitter and annoyed. Tell people you're prepping for a presentation, then enjoy the free time.

5. Make a budget for gifts, going out, and travel. It's a drag to do and you may not stick to it, but feeling in control of your finances helps squash anxiety.

6. Lock lips with your guy. Psychologists found that even just a little bit of physical contact is enough to lower your blood pressure and make you feel calmer.

7. Do short, high-intensity workouts. Research found they have a greater effect on stress than slower-paced exercise does. So instead of an hour of yoga, hit the treadmill on high for 20 minutes.

8. Or if you're feeling too beat to work out, skip the treadmill and relax in the sauna at your gym (or take a steamy shower). A study found that pampering yourself — even for a few minutes — calms you down.

9. If you feel ready to snap — at the rude cashier or airline clerk — talk slower. When you're tense, you speak more rapidly, which changes your body's chemistry and turns you into an F-bomb-dropping machine. Talking at a calmer pace will chill you out, and you'll be more likely to get what you want.

10. Skip the New Year's resolutions. While you might think that giving yourself goals is a positive thing, they'll make you feel inadequate and pressured rather than hopeful and happy. Instead, make some great plans for January.

DOES STRESS MAKE U BITCHY?