13/11/2025
STRESS. Stress is not a condition on its own, it’s a reaction to an external factor. You don’t “have” stress, you are experiencing it. Most people, when experiencing extreme pressure, call themselves stressed. But it’s not an event itself that causes us stress - it comes from our reactions and how we are able to deal with the beliefs that we Should, Ought and Must that put us under pressure. It’s our fear of not living up to expectations.
Understanding what it is about a particular situation that causes you stress will help you identify what about it you need to change. But you will need to be prepared to make some changes for yourself.
When people under pressure are asked to describe their feelings, they often describe feeling pulled in both directions at once, overloaded, at breaking point.
Stress can have physical symptoms which include headaches, muscle tension, loss of appetite, sweating, poor sleep, dizziness, nausea, just to name a few.
There are also potential psychological symptoms like anxiety, low self esteem, constant worry, irritability, racing thoughts, poor concentration.
Always remember, you DO have a voice and how YOU feel does matter. The first thing about coping with a stressful situation is to acknowledge that it IS stressful, and that you are no less of a person if you need help to manage it. What feels stressful to one person might not to another.
Stress is not ALL bad. Some stress is healthy and even aids productivity/creativity. Our bodies naturally respond to certain stimuli by creating an appropriate amount of pressure, releasing chemicals into our body to spur us into action.
The body sometimes uses crying as a tool to relieve the emotional tension and symptoms of stress. That’s why some of us get tearful when we are massively frustrated. And because our bodies are magnificent at self-regulation, the polar opposite also works just as well – so a real deep belly laugh can also do the trick. That’s why sometimes, laughing really does end in crying, as our bodies exploit the opportunity to release a build-up of emotions.
People who cry after a major trauma are more likely to remain healthy than those who do not exhibit any emotion; those people may already be shutting down or feeling overwhelmed.
If you are really feeling the pressure, take 5 minutes out to sit quietly and breathe, calmly and steadily. This will bring your heart rate down and help you to feel more in control.
Talking things through with a sympathetic friend can really help you to feel less isolated, and more positive about taking control. Feeling in control of your situation is one of the best ways to cope with stress; when you feel like you have a choice or a way of coping it is always easier to do just that. Sharing the burden can also make a difference.
Be realistic with yourself. It helps to accept there are limits to how far your energy will stretch. In this world there are some things we cannot control or change, and that is how the world is supposed to be. Save your energy to deal with the things that you can. Or just as importantly, the things you really do NEED to. If your household is safe and secure, with shelter and food, then you took care of business. Everything else is just window dressing.
