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Today, November 6th is National Stress Awareness Day. We all face stress in our daily lives. We have put together an article that can help you understand stress better. So get a cup of decaff tea and have a read. We hope it helps!

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Understanding Stress

Stress is our body's natural response to pressure or threat. It's important to understand that not all stress is negative. Our ability to feel stress is a survival mechanism crucial for human existence. Our ancestors used the stress response to alert them to potential danger, giving them the energy to fight or flee. Our bodies' adaptability is a reassuring reminder of our resilience.

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Today, while we no longer have to fight or flee the sabre tooth tiger, stress can positively motivate us to achieve goals or targets, it can help us react swiftly to danger – for example, if someone unexpectedly crosses the road in front of our car, we have to slam on the brakes. Sometimes, our bodies may go into fight or flight mode in inappropriate situations when stress can impact us negatively. When this happens, we can feel anxious, out of sorts, out of control, and alone.

Sometimes, stress is categorised into acute or chronic forms, which can help us identify the circumstances that generate it. Acute stress is experienced suddenly and intensely, usually immediately after an upsetting event, lasting no more than a few weeks. Chronic stress, on the other hand, is a constant and general state usually linked with long-lasting difficulties such as poverty or being a carer.

 

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Tips for reducing stress

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-          Do some physical exercise - moving helps to get the stress out of your body and gives you some much-needed endorphins

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-          Eat a healthy diet rich in fruit and vegetables to help your body get the nutrients it needs

 

-          Consider adding some vitamin supplements to your diet to help your body

 

-          Reduce your caffeine intake so that your body can self-regulate

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-          Talk about your problems. This simple act of talking about sources of stress to a friend, family member, or colleague or by telephone helpline can help us regain a sense of perspective and help us feel supported

 

-          Organise your time if you feel overwhelmed by work or personal demands, take steps to organise your time, make a list, determine your priorities and set achievable time scales

 

-          Take time out – if the source of your stress is work-related, take time away from your workspace to feel refreshed and relaxed; aim to take your lunchbreak and, if you can, get some fresh air

 

-          Accept the things you can not change; you can not change everything, so focus on the things in your life you do have control over and adopt a positive mindset

 

-          Say No – if someone is making unrealistic demands on you, practice being straightforward and assertive

 

-          Prioritise your health – eat well, keep hyddr5ated get a good night's sleep, get moving, take a walk or some other exercise

 

-          Develop interests and hobbies – find something that immerses you and can help you take a mental break from the things that cause you stress

 

-          Nurture your relationships – make time for those that you care about and who care about you

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It's important to remember that you're not alone in your stress. Support is available, starting with your GP. We've also compiled a list of resources and organisations at the end of this article so you can find the help you need.

 

What can trigger stress?

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The truth is that almost any aspect of life has the potential to become stressful at times. Let's explore a few examples, and you'll see that these include situations that are not necessarily harmful or threatening but can still cause significant stress levels. This universality of stress triggers reminds you that you're not alone in your experiences.

 

 

Family life

Families are complex systems that are often significant sources of support. Tensions between people, the pressure of responsibility, and balancing commitments are also part of family life and can easily cause stress.

 

Couples relationships

While your relationship with your partner can provide stability and support, it can also be a source of stress. Breakups and divorces are often cited as life's most stressful experiences. Acknowledging the impact of stress on relationships can help you feel understood and empathised.

 

Money

They say money does not bring happiness, but as anyone who has ever struggled to make ends meet knows, it can be overwhelming. The stress resulting from debt or simply struggling to make ends meet can be overwhelming.

 

Being involved in a significant event

Imagine you're organising a child's birthday party, or that your wedding is next month or that you're giving a eulogy at a funeral or planning a holiday that balances expectations and perceived consequences if things don't go as they should in such situations is enough o increase your stress levels.

 

Environment

Research has shown that our environment affects us on many levels. Loud traffic, air pollution, small living spaces, and reduced access to nature are constant stressors, especially in more extensive urban environments.

 

Moving House

Any change of environment is stressful because it often means a loss of reference points and familiarity, and It takes time to adapt. The moving process itself is perceived as highly stressful by most people who go through it, and it often comes with uncertainty ( waiting for the outcome of a mortgage application or landlord references, for instance, is a time pressure)

 

Conflict or other extreme situations

Living in areas affected by war or natural disasters, famine, or pandemics, all of which are sadly too relevant for too many people at the moment – can place large groups of people under immense amounts of stress and often leave them with very little they can do about it.

 

Health

Whether you're suffering from an illness yourself or supporting someone close to you who is struggling with health issues, it can all cause significant stress, short term but also for prolonged periods if a chronic illness is involved.

 

 

Work

There is no shortage of stress factors in our working lives, whether they come from challenging relationships, unrealistic demands, a lack of appreciation or inadequate pay; technological advances mean that the boundaries between work and personal lives are more blurred than ever, and this only serves to increase the potential for feeling stress.

Those are just some examples – but any aspect of life can become stressful in certain circumstances.

 

 

What does stress feel like?

While many of us experience high-stress levels, each individual's experience may differ. Stress targets the weakest part of our physiology or character. If you are prone to headaches mi, migraines, or eczema, stress can cause flare. If you have low levels of patience or tolerance for others, this will be the first area to be affected by stress. Stress can be damaging to our self-confidence and our relationships. It can also be a significant factor in affecting our mental health, including anxiety and depression and has been linked to physical conditions like heart disease, insomnia and other problems with the immune and digestive system.

 

 

Symptoms of stress

The NHS has several common symptoms of stress, which include

Headaches or dizziness

Muscle tension or pain

Stomach problems

Chest pain or a faster heartbeat

Sexual problems

 

Mental symptoms can include

Difficulty in concentrating

Struggling to make decisions

Feeling overwhelmed

Constantly worrying

Being forgetful

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Changes in behaviour

Being irritable and snappy

Sleeping too little or too much

Eating too much or too little

Avoiding certain places or people

Drinking or smoking more

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Stress can be so varied that there is not one specific treatment for it. Individually, we need to identify our stressors and learn the steps to manage stress. However, if you're finding it hard to cope with things going on in your life and are experiencing lots of signs of stress, there are treatments available that could help, such as talking therapy or medication.

 

 

Useful resources

NHS Feelings and Symptoms of Stress 

https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/feelings-symptoms-behaviours/feelings-and-symptoms/stress/

 

 

Mind

What is Stress 

https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/stress/what-is-stress/

 

 

Stress Management Society

https://www.stress.org.uk/