Knowledge of the physical responses to stress can help you intervene sooner. They include headaches, sleep disturbances, cuts that do not heal well, eyelid twitching, fatigue, catching colds easily, craving sweets, diarrhea constipation, abdominal cramps, panic feelings and undefined fears, sudden feelings of sadness, forgetfulness, and weight gain. Cortisol - the natural stress response/fat storage hormone - is the culprit in chronic stress. It is emitted by adrenal glands that sit atop your kidneys. You can reduce cortisol release with sleep and exercise. Black tea, massage, laughter, and even chewing gum can have a reduction effect. Talk to your doctor about physical symptoms that linger for any reason, because there may be other causes.