Stress

What is stress?

Stress is the pressure we experience in our daily lives. Everyone experiences stress in some form or another.

Stress can be positive because it keeps us on our toes and out of danger; it makes us perform better but too much stress can lead to tension, worry and illness.

How do you know that you're stressed?

Although different people react to stress in different ways, the effects on their bodies is always the same. The response to stress is the body's way of preparing us to cope with the danger we anticipate and is brought about by hormones.

Some of the short-term bodily changes we might notice are

If the stress goes on for a long time the effects might be

Excessive stress can also lead to depression - that 'sad and blue' feeling. It is a feeling of sadness, disappointment and worthlessness that leads to apathy and withdrawal.

What causes stress?

Different things cause stress to different people. Two different people may respond very differently to the same pressures.

Some of the things which cause stress are

How much you feel stressed is not just due to the things that happen to you in the outside world, but how you interpret and deal with them inside.

How can you deal with stress?

Knowing what causes you to feel stressed, when you are stressed and how it feels, is a starting point for doing something about it. Being able to look back at situations when you were under stress can help you decide how to deal with such situations in the future. You can also do a lot to keep stress within reasonable limits.

Talking things over

We all face difficult times, but it can help to talk to people we trust and can confide in about our worries

Keep in touch with friends

You don't have to be strong and struggle on alone. Friends are especially important at difficult times

Keep active

Regular exercise helps lower stress levels. Find something you enjoy e.g. skate boarding, football, basket ball, swimming, jogging, dancing

Get involved

Find out what is going on locally. Meeting new people and doing new things can make a difference to how you feel

Be realistic

People who expect too much of themselves can get tense if things don't work out. Set practical goals and expect to be successful

Plan your work

Tension and anxiety can build up when work seems endless. Planning your work helps you to use your time and energy more efficiently.

Take a break

A break away from your problems, no matter how short, can give you a new way of looking at them.

Distract yourself

Doing something else rather than dwelling on a problem. Reading a book or listening to some music can help take your mind off things.

Avoid drinking, smoking and other drugs

If you use these as a way to unwind, the effect is only temporary. They will not solve the problems that make you feel stressed.

Eat a healthy diet

When things get too hectic or difficult, it is easy to forget about what we eat. But what we eat and when we eat can make a big difference to how we feel.

Learn to relax

Everyone can learn how to relax. Just a few minutes of peace and quiet every day can make a big difference to how we feel.

Avoid stress

When possible plan to avoid too many big changes coming at the same time.

If it gets to the stage where you feel your stress levels are out of hand, then go and get help. It is not a sign of weakness but one of strength to admit to yourself and others that you are not coping. Remember you can also help others by listening and supporting them and telling them where they can go for help.

You can do a lot for yourself and others by: