Which of the following is a physiological symptom of stress?

• A. Sleep pattern changes
• B. Memory problems
• C. Anxiety
• D. Seeing only negative

Answer: (A)

Physiological changes in the body are a hallmark of stress, with sleep pattern changes being a classic example. When the stress response activates, hormones like cortisol and adrenaline can disrupt normal sleep regulation, causing difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or sleeping too much. These are bodily functions, so they’re considered physiological symptoms of stress.

Memory problems can occur with stress too, but they’re more about cognitive processing and mental load. Anxiety is an emotional experience, a feeling state, not a direct bodily function. Seeing only negative reflects a cognitive perception or bias, not a physical process. So sleep pattern changes best fit as the physiological symptom.