Stress is a physical or emotional response to events that make you feel upset, threatened or under pressure.
Everyone gets stressed and it is quite normal. Stress is caused by different things for everyone. When we become stressed our body goes into overdrive and we initiate the reaction known as 'flight, fight or freeze'. This is our stress response and it can help us to achieve better things. It is a release of stress hormones that cause our heart to beat faster, dry mouth, muscles tighten, heavier breathing, higher blood pressure etc.
What happens when we get stressed
Flight - we run away from the issue, try to forget about it, but it usually ends in us failing or getting into trouble. You shut down, pull away and show little emotion and energy.
Fight - we tackle the issues straight on and our stress response drives us to achieve what is causing stress e.g. we will push ourselves to study for an exam tomorrow, rather than taking a nap, even though we would rather be sleeping, lets be honest!
Sometimes we can become heated, angry, irritated, highly emotional and unable to sit still and concentrate.
Freeze - we basically stop 'functioning', don't know how to handle the problem or stressor and give up.
Our stress limit
So although stress can help us meet challenges and push ourselves, there is a fine line when it becomes a problem. Stress can cause major damage to our health, mood, relationships, productivity, well-being and quality of life.
There are all sorts of signs and symptoms in relation to cognitive, emotional, physical and behavioural health. It is important to know your limit, when stress is effecting you so you can reduce symptoms and improve your well-being.
Examples of stressors
There are two types of stress causing and these are; external and internal
External:
- Being very being and having a big workload
- Financial difficulties
- Relationships; friends, partners, family
- Work, school, university
- Major life changes; moving house, divorce, finished school
Internal:
- Negative self talk, and sense of self
- Unrealistic expectations or perfectionism
- Not being able to be flexiable; rigid thoughts and actions
- All or nothing attitude
- Negative outlook on life; being pessimistic
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