Stress

We all know what it’s like to feel stressed, but what exactly is stress? At the most basic level, stress is our body’s response to pressure. Feelings of stress are often triggered by life events such as being under pressure, facing life changes, being overwhelmed by responsibilities, or feeling uncertain. Sometimes you may be able to notice stress right away, while other times it may go unnoticed. Stress that goes unnoticed can sometimes lead to burnout. In some cases, stress can be healthy when it helps us to meet deadlines or avoid an accident. However, prolonged stress is unhealthy, both mentally and physically. 

Stress can be divided into three categories: 

• Acute Stress - This type of stress happens to everyone. This is our body’s immediate reaction to challenging situations. However, severe acute stress develops after facing a life-threatening situation and can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder. 
• Episodic Acute Stress - This is when you’ve had frequent episodes of acute stress, and may occur alongside anxiety. This type of stress can affect physical health and mental well-being. 
• Chronic Stress - When high stress levels occur for an extended period of time, this is called chronic stress. This long-term stress can have a negative impact on health and may lead to anxiety, depression, high blood pressure, and a weakened immune system. 

Some signs of stress may include: 

• Feeling irritable or impatient 
• Feeling anxious, nervous, or afraid 
• Being unable to enjoy yourself 
• Feeling depressed or feeling a sense of dread 
• Feeling uninterested in life 
• Being worried about your health 
• Avoiding situations 
• Difficulty concentrating 
• Feeling restless 
• Increased use of substances 
• Having panic attacks 
• Physical symptoms such as shallow breathing, muscle tension, fatigue, headaches, indigestion
• Hypersomnia or insomnia 

Stress isn’t a psychological disorder, but it is closely linked to mental health in two important ways: 

• Stress can cause mental health problems or worsen existing mental health concerns
• Coping with mental health concerns can cause stress 

Cognitive-behavioural therapy, stress management, and mindfulness can all be used to effectively reduce stress.  

If you are experiencing stress and find it hard to cope with, contact us for a free 15 minute consultation to see how we can help.