top of page

How Stressed are You?

What is stress?

The World Health Organisation defines stress as:

Stress can be defined as a state of worry or mental tension caused by a difficult situation. Stress is a natural human response that prompts us to address challenges and threats in our lives. Everyone experiences stress to some degree. The way we respond to stress, however, makes a big difference to our overall well-being.

 

 
How does Stress affect us?

Stress affects both the mind and the body. A little bit of stress is good and can help us perform daily activities. Too much stress can cause physical and mental health problems. Learning how to cope with stress can help us feel less overwhelmed and support our mental and physical well-being.

What about my Stress?

So how do I begin looking at my own unique bodily reaction to stress?

Perhaps some of the below are familiar, have you ever: 

  • Felt stressed and wondered why your neck and shoulders started to feel tense and then sore? 

  • Felt anxious and wondered why your heart and thoughts were suddenly racing, or why you suddenly needed the toilet? 

  • Lost sleep lost in thoughts trying to fix things and solve problems but just end up exhausted and more stressed?

  • Felt angry and wondered why your chest was tight, and why you couldn’t stop yourself from lashing out? 

  • Had a panic attack and wondered why it felt like you were having a heart attack, or like you were losing your mind? 

If you answered “yes” to any of those questions, you are very normal and very human, and this article is for you. 

Your brain has evolved to keep you safe above all else. It is constantly on the lookout for danger. Once it finds something potentially dangerous it steps in and initiates a stress reaction. This means it takes away your conscious control of the situation and prepares you to run or fight, freeze or fawn for your life.  Find out more here.

Take the stress questionnaire to see where you are on the “Stress-o-meter”...

bottom of page