Table of contents:
- Symptoms of stress seen from finger nails
- What do nails have to do with stress?
- Prevent nail damage due to stress symptoms
Sometimes, stress can hit anyone without you even realizing it. Job stress, for example. Your boss at work may have just entrusted you with new responsibilities that are overwhelming you. Without realizing it, over time the burden you carry makes you stressed. You have trouble sleeping, eat more, and become irritable. However, it is indeed difficult to just recognize the symptoms of stress.
Did you know that in addition to lifestyle changes, stress symptoms can also be seen from finger nails? Yes, the researchers managed to find a link between a person's psychological condition and their fingernails. Want to know what your fingernails look like when under severe stress? Here comes the full review.
Symptoms of stress seen from finger nails
Pay attention to your fingernails. Are the surfaces of your nails looking smooth and healthy? If your nails look healthy, then you are most likely in a psychologically stable state.
However, if the surface of your nails appears vertical lines (perpendicular to the bottom) are white, you need to be careful. The appearance of a white vertical line on the surface of the nail can indicate stress. In addition, brittle nails and break easily can also be caused by hidden stress.
What do nails have to do with stress?
Nails may be the last body part you notice when you are under stress. Indeed, many people underestimate the problem with nails. In fact, nails can describe the current health condition of your body and mind.
When you are stressed, your body naturally reacts to protect itself from threats. According to a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association, one way is to reduce the water content on the surface of the skin, which is under the nails. This happens so that in an emergency situation, the body still has adequate water reserves. As a result, your nails will become very dry and easy to peel off. Nails that are too dry will also make the surface of the nail rough and appear vertical white streaks.
Apart from chemical reactions in the body, some people also have a unique response to stress. When you are nervous or depressed, you might unconsciously bite your nails or rub your nails against your fingertips or other surfaces. This causes the nails to become damaged and brittle. The skin around your nails may also peel because of this habit.
Prevent nail damage due to stress symptoms
The appearance of vertical lines on the nails or brittle nails is actually not dangerous to health. However, if you're not careful, your nails can break and cause injury. So, if you feel any symptoms of stress, it's best to cut your nails immediately. Don't allow it to grow too long, as this makes it more prone to injury.
In addition, try to increase your intake of iron, vitamin B12, vitamin C, and calcium, which can make your nails stronger. Also make sure you drink enough water so that your nails are not dehydrated.
However, the best way to prevent damage to your nails is to tackle the root cause, which is stress. Try to identify the causes of stress and find the best solution. If you don't have a solution, try to relieve stress in a healthy way. For example, by exercising, telling stories to those closest to you, or finding quality time for yourself.
