What is stress?
Feeling stressed? You’re not alone. Stress is a natural response that everyone experiences when under pressure. It’s not always bad. It can even be healthy. But when the stress is too much, lasts for too long or affects your daily life, it can impact your mental health and wellbeing.
On this page, we talk about stress and mental health and explore how to reduce stress now and over the long term.
On this page, we talk about stress and mental health and explore how to reduce stress now and over the long term.
On this page
Mental signs
- Being irritable or not present when with family or friends
- Changes in eating or sleeping patterns
- Concentration
- Inability to feel joy
- Increased cynicism
- Intrusive thoughts
- Racing thoughts
- Tunnel vision on problems
- Worsening of existing mental health issues
Physical signs
- An upset stomach
- Changes in menstrual cycle or libido
- Chest pains
- Dizziness
- Dry mouth
- Excessive sweating
- Fatigue
- Frequent colds from a poor immune response
- Headaches
- Hives
- Increased heart rate
- Jaw clenching or teeth grinding
- Muscle tension or aches
- Shortness of breath
Stress
Stress is the body’s natural response to a perceived threat or demand, whether real or imagined.
- Stress is often triggered by external events or situations, like a demanding job, challenging school or university assignments, financial worries, or relationship problems.
- Stress is usually temporary and subsides once the stressor is removed.
- Stress is the body’s natural response to a perceived threat or demand, whether real or imagined.
- Stress may make you feel more emotionally reactive to everyday situations.
Anxiety
Anxiety is a feeling of unease, worry or dread that can happen either as a result of stress or without any obvious trigger.
- Anxiety can arise from certain events or situations – but it can also build from within or have no clear cause at all.
- Anxiety can persist even after the situation causing stress has passed, and it can become a chronic condition.
- It can show up as persistent worry about everyday situations, panic attacks, or intense fears about social situations, places or objects.
- Anxiety may lead to your feelings snowballing into immense fear about things that are unlikely to happen.
Stress and mental health conditions
Too much stress, or prolonged stress, can cause poor mental health or a relapse of a previous mental health condition. If you’re experiencing anxiety, depression, PTSD or another mental health issue, stress can lead to a worsening of symptoms and your ability to cope might be reduced.