3 Signs of Stress & 5 Self-Care Tips to Try Now

As we step into 2025, many Americans are feeling the weight of ongoing stress. From economic concerns and political uncertainty to global conflicts and health challenges, these pressures can take a significant toll on our mental well-being—sometimes in ways we don’t even notice.

While some stress is a normal part of life, chronic stress can negatively impact our health. How can you tell if stress is affecting you more than usual? Watch for these three warning signs and try these five self-care strategies to restore balance.

3 Signs of Stress

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Red Flag #1: Changes in Habits
Are you eating more or less than usual? Struggling to fall or stay asleep? These shifts in behavior can be a response to stress. Increased use of alcohol, tobacco or other substances can also be a warning sign that you are not effectively coping with stress.

Red Flag #2: Physical Symptoms
Stress doesn’t just affect your mind—it can show up in your body, too. Watch for signs like fatigue, headaches, muscle tension, stomach issues or other bodily changes, which may indicate that stress is taking a toll on your physical health.

Red Flag #3: Emotional and Mental Effects
Stress often impacts our day-to-day moods. Beyond feelings of anxiety or worry, you might find yourself feeling unusually irritable, angry or unable to concentrate. If everyday tasks and expectations are disrupted by your mood, it could be a consequence of elevated stress.

5 Self-Care Tips to Try Now

1. Set Boundaries with News Consumption
   Constant exposure to distressing news or sensationalized content can heighten anxiety. Try setting boundaries—such as checking the news only once or twice a day through quality, fact-based sources—to reduce stress while staying informed.

2. Engage in Meaningful Activities
   Redirect your emotions and focus with activities that bring you joy and are consistent with your core values. While many things that are causing you stress may be out of your control, remind yourself of the actions that are in your control. Whether it’s a hobby, volunteering or creative pursuits, focusing on what you can control can help center you.

3. Prioritize Physical Well-Being
   Your mental health is closely tied to your physical health. Aim for balanced meals, regular exercise (even a short walk helps) and adequate sleep to support your overall well-being. Check-ins with your primary care provider can also help you stay healthy.

4. Stay Connected
   Even when life feels overwhelming, reconnecting to your community and reaching out to friends or loved ones—whether by phone, video chat or in person—can provide emotional support and strengthen your resilience. 

5. Seek Professional Help When Needed
   If stress becomes unmanageable, don’t delay talking to your healthcare provider. Overlake offers a range of mental health resources, including:

• Outpatient Psychiatry and Psychotherapy: For individuals struggling with depression, anxiety or thought disorders, Overlake provides psychiatric evaluations, medication management and short-term cognitive behavioral therapy. Providers take a collaborative approach to care, helping patients build coping strategies and regain stability.
• Partial Day Hospital Program: A structured therapy program for adults with mood or anxiety disorders needing more support than traditional outpatient care. The program runs Monday–Friday, with an average stay of seven to nine days.
• Mental Health Classes: Overlake offers free, mental health classes and training sessions that provide valuable tools and resources for supporting someone in crisis.

If you or a loved one are experiencing depression or anxiety, Overlake’s Mental Health & Behavioral Health team can help. Our providers will personalize your treatment plan to meet your needs.