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4 Symptoms of Stress You Should Never Ignore
Insomnia, brain fog, physical aches and social withdrawal can all be signs that stress is affecting your health. Here’s what to watch for — and when to seek support
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Key takeaways
- Trouble falling or staying asleep is a common symptom of stress, and chronic sleep issues can make daily stress harder to manage.
- Stress can also show up as physical discomfort, sadness, irritability, brain fog, racing thoughts, forgetfulness and difficulty focusing.
- Withdrawing from friends or activities can be warning signs that stress is affecting your well-being.
Dealing with stress can be hard at any age, and it can become more difficult to deal with as we get older. But that’s not true for all older adults. A 2026 AARP survey found that among 84 percent of people who had experienced stress in the past 30 days, 72 percent said they’re doing well managing it. That’s not the case for everyone, though. The report found 63 percent had trouble sleeping, and 57 percent experienced muscle tension.
Whether your stress comes from work, relationships, caregiving or something else, here are a few signs experts say could signal trouble.
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1. Insomnia and difficulty sleeping
Can’t fall or stay asleep? Insomnia is a classic symptom of stress, says Connecticut-based clinical psychologist Holly Schiff. The consequences of lack of sleep, including fatigue and problems concentrating, can make it even harder to get through the day, creating a stress snowball effect.
According to the AARP survey:
- Seventy-seven percent of people over 50 have positive mental and emotional well-being and relatively manageable stress levels.
- Of the 84 percent of older adults who experience stress, 15 percent report high stress, 29 percent have moderate stress and 39 percent have little stress.
According to the AARP survey, 63 percent of respondents experienced trouble sleeping, and 52 percent of people were tired after they slept.
To break the no-slumber cycle, Schiff recommends having a bedside journal to jot down the worries keeping you up at night, whether it’s tomorrow’s to-do list or other preoccupying thoughts. “Getting it down on paper and, theoretically, out of your mind can be helpful and free up some mental space so you can focus on getting a restful night’s sleep,” she says.
2. Changes in mood and thinking
Changes in mood, like increased sadness or irritability, are another stress warning sign, according to psychoanalyst Gail Saltz, a clinical associate professor of psychiatry at New York Presbyterian Hospital, Weill-Cornell Medical College.
“If you are highly anxious because you’re highly stressed, the feeling could definitely be one of agitation or restlessness in your body, a feeling of being fearful,” she says. “In the case of chronic stress that’s making you feel very burned out, it could be a feeling of being very down or even numb.”
Along with shifts in mood, Schiff notes that changes in thinking — like a feeling of brain fog (or, conversely, racing thoughts) — difficulty concentrating and forgetfulness are other signs to watch for. According to the AARP survey, 46 percent of older adults had trouble remembering things, 44 percent felt irritable, 42 percent felt rushed, 41 percent struggled with focus and 39 percent became agitated easily.
3. Physical symptoms
Somatic symptoms (physical signs of stress) include headaches, upset stomach, dizziness, shaking, muscle tension and general aches and pains. In fact, muscle tension was the second-most popular symptom of stress older adults experienced, with 57 percent of people dealing with tense muscles, according to the AARP survey.
These signs arise from the physiological effect stress has on the body (stress triggers the release of symptom-causing hormones and neurotransmitters, such as cortisol and norepinephrine). Experts say physical symptoms are more common among older adults, particularly those who may view mental health issues as taboo or stigmatized.
“Today’s older adults … may not recognize what’s going on as readily,” Saltz says. “Or if they do, [they] may not feel as comfortable talking with others or seeking treatment.”
4. Social isolation and withdrawal
Experts say another hallmark of stress and related mental health issues is pulling away from friends, loved ones and day-to-day activities.
But Saltz notes that there’s a “fine line” between self-isolating because of stress, anxiety or a mood disorder like depression (which worsens symptoms) and choosing to take a break from certain activities to address burnout — a state of physical and mental exhaustion that results from a chronically stressful situation, like work or caregiving.
Prioritizing mental health
Recognizing signs of stress, then taking steps to manage it, can make a meaningful difference in how you feel.
A professional evaluation is a good option for those who want to ensure they take the right approach to understanding and treating the root cause of their symptoms, Saltz says.
Because stress can present itself in a wide range of ways, and the overlap between symptoms of stress and signs of physical ailments and mental health conditions, Schiff and Saltz recommend checking in with a health care provider or a mental health professional about new or concerning symptoms of stress that interfere with daily functioning.
The key takeaways were created with the assistance of generative AI. An AARP editor reviewed and refined the content for accuracy and clarity.
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