A doctor warned of some of the symptoms of chronic stress (Image: Getty)
A GP has warned that certain common symptoms could be linked to a chronic condition many Brits experience. You may not realise that some frustrating issues you’re dealing with are linked to stress.
The start of the year can be one of the most stressful times, with cold, dark weather and the general winter slump leaving many feeling low and looking for the next thing to look forward to. And a survey by Lloyds Pharmacy Online Doctor revealed that almost a quarter of Brits (22%) feel stressed every single day of the week. The poll from 2025, which included 1,000 people, found a quarter (25%) of women said they experienced feelings of daily stress, versus only 18% of men
Despite these stats, half of Brits (48%) say they have never taken a day off work for stress-related reasons. While stress is often perceived as an emotional burden, Doctor Bhavini Shah, GP at Lloyds Pharmacy Online Doctor, explained that the most common ways that stress manifests itself as physical symptoms.
Chronic stress could lead to weight loss (Image: Getty)
Weight loss
She said: “Stress is known to cause a loss of appetite for some people, meaning they end up eating less food or slipping into poorer eating habits, such as snacking instead of eating full meals. Some people may notice a feeling of unease in their stomach during times of stress. In some cases, stress slows down digestion, causing bloating, pain, and constipation, while in others digestion will speed up, causing diarrhoea.”
Headaches and migraines
Dr Shah said: « Stress is a common trigger for headaches, often due to increased muscle tension in the shoulders, neck, jaw and head. Some people may also unknowingly grind their teeth when under stress.
“This physical tension, typically brought on by everyday stressors like work pressure or financial concerns, can lead to tension headaches as the muscles in the shoulders, neck, jaw, and head tighten in response. Stress can also trigger migraine headaches if you’re prone to them.”
High blood pressure
“While one-off instances of stress have a temporary effect on blood pressure, chronic stress can cause people to adopt unhealthy habits that can raise blood pressure and increase the risk of a heart attack or stroke,” she warned.
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Erectile dysfunction
She continued: “For men, stress hormones can interfere with testosterone, which can lower your sex drive and lead to erection issues. If this is something that has happened in the past, that may also be on your mind and contribute to increased anxiety levels.”
How to reduce stress symptoms
Dr Ravi Gill, clinical health psychologist, shared tips for combating the symptoms of stress and stress levels. She said: “Combine rest with proactive strategies like setting boundaries, improving work-life balance, seeking support and addressing organisational issues to improve work-related stress.
“Small daily activities such as keeping a gratitude journal to shift focus to positives, or listening to music or podcasts to quickly lift the mood. Creative outlets like drawing, cooking, or playing an instrument provide healthy distraction and expression which help lower stress levels by providing both mental escape and a constructive way to process emotions
“Practising mindful breathing for just a few minutes can calm the mind. Setting aside screen-free time before bed supports stress management by improving sleep quality.”
Dr Ravi Gill adds: “Small daily routines and habits help reduce stress by creating structure, predictability, and a sense of control in otherwise busy or uncertain lives.
“Psychologically, routines lower decision fatigue by automating simple tasks, freeing mental energy for more important challenges. Over time, routines act as anchors, helping individuals manage stress more effectively by balancing demands with moments of grounding and self-care.”
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