Support for stress
Most people feel stressed sometimes, for any number of reasons. But you shouldn't feel stressed most or all of the time, and it shouldn't be affecting your life.
The information in this article is taken from nhs.uk.
Stress is the body's reaction to feeling threatened or under pressure. It's very common, can be motivating to help us achieve things in our daily life, and can help us meet the demands of home, work and family life.
But too much stress can affect our mood, our body and our relationships – especially when it feels out of our control. It can make us feel anxious and irritable, and affect our self-esteem.
Experiencing a lot of stress over a long period of time can also lead to a feeling of physical, mental and emotional exhaustion, often called burnout.
Symptoms of stress
Physical symptoms
- Headaches or dizziness
- Muscle tension or pain
- Stomach problems
- Chest pain or a faster heartbeat
- Sexual problems
Mental symptoms
- Difficulty concentrating
- Struggling to make decisions
- Feeling overwhelmed
- Constantly worrying
- Being forgetful
Changes in behaviour
- Being irritable and snappy
- Sleeping too much or too little
- Eating too much or too little
- Avoiding certain places or people
- Drinking or smoking more
How to cope with stress
- Talk to someone: Trusted friends, family and colleagues, or contacting a helpline, can help us when we are struggling.
- Split up big tasks: If a task seems overwhelming and difficult to start, try breaking it down into easier chunks, and give yourself credit for completing them.
- Be more active: Being active can help you to burn off nervous energy. It will not make your stress disappear, but it can make it less intense.
- Plan ahead: Planning out any upcoming stressful days or events – a to-do list, the journey you need to do, things you need to take – can really help.
- Allow yourself some positivity: Take time to think about the good things in your life. Each day, consider what went well and try to list 3 things you're thankful for.
