What is Stress? 

Stress is how we react when we feel under pressure or threatened and is a normal part of life. It usually happens when we are in a situation that we don't feel we can manage or control. Some stress is a normal part of everyday life and in small doses it can be good for us, like motivating us to complete a project before a deadline. Some people thrive on a little bit of stress in their everyday lives-it can help us focus on the task at hand and get things done quickly. However, too much stress can have adverse effects on our bodies and minds, leading to both mental and health problems. Over time too much stress can leave us feeling burnt out and negatively impact our health, relationships and life in general. 
 

How does stress feel? 

Everyone experiences stress slightly differently, people have different triggers that cause stress and feel the effects of it differently. For some it may be in the form of excessive thinking or highly negative thinking. For others it may manifest in physical symptoms such as tight neck and shoulders. Stress might even impact the way we behave – attempting to over plan and micro manage everyday situations in order to cope with stressful situations. Often there is no one-size fits all description of how stress feels. 

The benefits of managing stress 

Improved mental health: Stress can cause low mood and anxiety, but by managing stress you can reduce the symptoms of these conditions. 

Better physical health: Stress is one of the leading causes of illness in America today. It can lead to heart disease, diabetes and other chronic illnesses if left unchecked. 

Increased productivity: When you're feeling stressed out it's hard to focus on work or school projects because your mind is elsewhere. By learning how to manage your stress levels you'll be able to get more done while feeling better about yourself 

Improved relationships: Stress can also have a significant impact on relationships. Communication, understanding and listening are all important aspects of healthy relationships. When you're stressed out, your ability to communicate effectively may be hampered by negative emotions such as anger or frustration. You might also find yourself withdrawing from others because you don't want them to see how stressed out you are feeling. This can lead to misunderstandings between couples as well as friends, family members and coworkers who care about each other but aren't able to help because they don't know how much stress is affecting someone else's life 

Managing and reducing stress 

Talking with a trained professional can help you learn how to better manage your stress and find ways of coping with stress effectively.  Therapy sessions will look at a range of strategies to support you to manage and reduce stress in your life, this can include: