Most of us know what acute stress feels like: racing thoughts, a pounding heart, maybe a sleepless night or two. But chronic stress is different. It builds slowly, day after day, until it becomes the background noise of our lives. And the truth is, many people don’t realize they’re experiencing chronic stress until they’re completely depleted.

At Petal & Peak Mental Health, we often work with clients who describe feeling “tired all the time,” “easily overwhelmed,” or “just not like themselves," and stress is often the missing piece. In honor of Stress Awareness Month, let’s explore how to recognize the subtle signs of chronic stress and what you can do about it.

What Is Chronic Stress?

Chronic stress is what happens when your body stays in a prolonged state of “fight or flight.” It can be caused by ongoing pressures like work demands, financial strain, caregiving, relationship struggles, or systemic stressors like discrimination or lack of access to healthcare. Unlike short bursts of stress, which resolve when a challenge passes, chronic stress lingers, often unnoticed.

Because it builds slowly, chronic stress can be hard to spot. But over time, it can impact your physical health, your relationships, your mood, and your ability to think clearly.

Physical Signs You Might Be Experiencing Chronic Stress

• Trouble falling or staying asleep, even when you’re exhausted

• Headaches, stomach and digestive issues, or muscle tension

• Frequent colds or illnesses (stress suppresses your immune system!)

• Fatigue that doesn’t go away with rest

• Clenched jaw, grinding teeth, or holding your breath without realizing it

Emotional and Behavioral Clues

• Irritability or feeling emotionally “raw”

• Feeling numb, disconnected, or burned out

• Increased anxiety or sense of dread

• Difficulty concentrating or making decisions

• Pulling away from social support or isolating yourself

You Don’t Have to “Earn” Rest

One of the hardest parts of chronic stress is how normalized it becomes. We tell ourselves it’s just a busy season or that we should be able to “handle it.” But the truth is, rest is not a reward. It is a requirement for your nervous system to reset and function properly.

Therapy can help you notice patterns of chronic stress and learn how to regulate your body’s stress response. At Petal & Peak, we work with clients across Colorado to understand what stress looks like for them, and how to create more space for rest, boundaries, and balance.

Want to check in with yourself?

We created a free Stress Management Worksheet to help you identify how stress is showing up in your life, and what to do about it. Download it here and take the first step toward feeling more grounded.

Stress Doesn’t Have to Be Your Normal

You don’t have to wait until you’re burned out to make a change. When you learn to recognize stress early, you have the power to respond with care instead of collapse. If you’re noticing some of these signs in yourself, it might be time to slow down and reach out.

We’re here to help.

Note: The information provided in this article is for educational purposes and should not replace professional medical advice. 

Copyright 2025: Petal & Peak Mental Health. All rights reserved.

Photo by Claudia Wolff on Unsplash