Stress is something that every person experiences in their life. It is a way your body tells you that something is off, something is uncomfortable, or something unhealthy is going on mentally or physically. Stress can be extreme or mild depending on the circumstances and how well each individual responds to stress.

I thought a lot about the ways that my body lets me know I am stressed. I feel nauseous a lot and notice my appetite is significantly lower than usual. I also tend to get hives and experience an uncanny amount of fidgeting. The most tell-tell sign that I am going through an extended period of high-stress levels is that I lose my voice. That seems to be when I listen to my body and finally try to settle down. What I find strange is that I have never heard of anyone else that experiences stress the same way.

I asked my friends what their version of how experiencing stress presents itself. I got a wide variety of answers and never the same exact description twice. I got answers such as "stress-eating a lot of food" and "not eating at all." I also got some responses that it's difficult to breathe, butterflies in the stomach, puking, literally losing the ability to see clearly, acne, jitters, and so many others.

I find it really interesting that every person I know experiences stress in a different way. It was actually somewhat comforting to know that I am not alone in dealing with the side effects of stress, especially as a college student with a lot of different activities going on.

What I do know is that our bodies respond to stressful situations historically to protect us from danger and harm. Now, our bodies respond with stress to many of the social situations and implications of the modern world. Just a little something to think about....