Thread by @dr_ericberg

You might think you’re managing stress just fine, but your body often says otherwise.

It shows up in your sleep, your cravings, your gut, even your skin.

Here are 20 hidden signs you’re living with too much stress (and how to fix it):

1/ You’re not a morning person

If it takes you hours and multiple coffees to wake up, your adrenals may be overworked.

Caffeine doesn’t give real energy. It blocks fatigue signals, which only burns you out more over time.

2/ It affects your brain

Chronic stress traps your mind in constant problem-solving mode.

You can’t switch off. You fixate on what’s wrong, even when most things go right.

That’s cortisol keeping your brain “on alert” long after the stress has passed.

3/ Poor sleep

Waking up at 2 or 3 a.m. and feeling wide awake? That’s a cortisol spike.

When stress hormones stay high at night and low during the day, your sleep cycle flips.
You wake up tired, foggy, and wired, a classic sign of adrenal overload.

4/ High blood sugars

Cortisol is a glucocorticoid, meaning it raises blood sugar even without carbs.

That’s because cortisol tells your body to release sugar for emergency energy.

When this happens too often, it can lead to insulin resistance, fatty liver, and even diabetes.

5/ More belly fat

Stress triggers fat storage around your midsection.

When cortisol and insulin stay high, your body holds onto belly fat while breaking down muscle.

This combination slows metabolism and makes weight loss much harder.

6/ Heavy legs when walking uphill

If climbing stairs leaves your legs feeling heavy or your energy drained, your adrenal glands may be under stress.

When they’re overworked, blood flow and oxygen delivery drop, making even simple physical activity feel exhausting.

7/ Inflammation

Cortisol is your body’s natural anti-inflammatory hormone.

But with chronic stress, your cells stop responding to it properly, similar to how they resist insulin.

This leads to ongoing pain, stiffness, and inflammation, even when cortisol levels are high.

8/ Loss of electrolytes

Chronic stress causes your body to lose potassium, a key mineral that helps maintain steady heart rhythm and relaxed muscles.

When potassium levels drop, you may experience cramps, fatigue, and even high blood pressure.

9/ Craving salt

Your adrenal glands need sodium to function properly.

If you crave salty foods after a stressful day, that’s your body asking for help.

Just remember, you need twice as much potassium as sodium for balance.

10/ Frequent illness

Cortisol naturally suppresses the immune system.

When stress is constant, your body’s defenses weaken, making you more prone to colds, infections, or prolonged recovery after illness.

11/ Autoimmune diseases

Many autoimmune conditions start after a major life stressor, like a loss, breakup, or trauma.

Stress can disrupt the gut barrier, trigger inflammation, and confuse the immune system, causing it to attack the body’s own tissues.

12/ Acne

Stress raises androgen levels, which increase oil production in the skin.

This can lead to clogged pores and breakouts.

In women, high stress and hormone imbalance may also trigger PCOS-like symptoms.

13/ Asthma

Cortisol naturally opens airways and reduces inflammation.

Asthma medications mimic this effect with synthetic steroids.

If your adrenal glands are weak, your body produces less cortisol, which can make asthma symptoms worse.

14/ Allergies

If your allergies flare up under stress, that’s no coincidence.

Stress weakens adrenal function and lowers your tolerance to environmental triggers.

Cortisol resistance makes small allergens feel like big attacks.

15/ Sinus problems

Chronic stress can cause swelling in the sinus passages, leading to congestion and pressure.

Over time, cortisol resistance from stress may worsen these issues and contribute to sleep apnea.

16/ Sleep apnea

High cortisol prevents your body from fully relaxing during sleep.

This can tighten airway muscles and disrupt breathing, leading to fatigue and poor oxygen levels.

17/ Osteoporosis

Cortisol breaks down protein, which includes bone tissue.

During menopause, weak adrenal function can’t fully support the ovaries, increasing bone loss and the risk of fractures.

18/ Acid reflux

Stress raises stomach acid while weakening the valve at the top of your stomach.

This leads to heartburn and reflux. In many cases, supporting digestion with acid like betaine HCl helps more than antacids.

19/ Gastritis

High cortisol thins the stomach lining and promotes inflammation.

This can cause burning pain, indigestion, and reduce absorption of nutrients like B12 and iron.

20/ Gallstones

Low cortisol can reduce bile production.

When bile becomes thick, cholesterol can solidify and form stones.

Chronic stress is a major but often overlooked contributor to gallbladder problems.

Now, what can you do to recover from chronic stress?
• Take vitamin B1 (nutritional yeast)
• Eat potassium-rich foods
• Exercise or do physical work
• Avoid constant news exposure
• Follow a low-carb diet
• Surround yourself with supportive people

Stress activates your body’s “fight or flight” response, flooding it with cortisol and adrenaline.

Short-term, that’s normal. But constant stress keeps those hormones elevated and harms nearly every organ system.

Learn how to manage it here:

A bit about me:

I’m the creator of Healthy Keto® and Intermittent Fasting protocols, helping over 100M people make healthier choices.

Follow me @dr_ericberg for more evidence-based insights to improve your health and longevity.

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