Anxiety
STRESS
What is stress?
Stress is a word that many people in New Zealand use to describe how our body and mind responds when we feel under pressure or feel like something bad might happen. It usually happens when we are in a situation that we don't feel we can manage or control.
Sometimes a small amount of stress can be helpful as it gives us energy, motivation and focus to get things done.
But stress can become a problem when it lasts for a long time or is very severe. The hormones that our body produces to respond to stressful situations can have many effects on us.
Sometimes when we are stressed, we might be able to tell right away. But at other times, we might keep going without realising we are stressed.
Signs of stress
If you are stressed, you might notice the following things:
In your body (physical signs)
Changes in your sleeping patterns
Shortness of breath or shallow breathing
Indigestion, stomach upsets
Headaches and pains in lower back, chest, shoulders or other parts of the body
Skin itches or rashes for no clear reason
Problems with concentrating or remembering things
Often getting colds or flu
Nervous ‘twitches’ or muscle spasms
In your feelings (emotional signs)
Losing confidence
Feeling tearful, tense or anxious
Losing your joy and energy for life
Feeling irritable or impatient
In the way you act (behavioural signs)
Losing interest in family, friends or work
Poor self care
Finding it hard to make decisions
Relying on drugs, alcohol, caffeine or overeating
What can I do about stress?
You can think about what is causing you stress and see what you can do to change this.
Of course, some things are out of our control and we may not be able to change them, so it may also be helpful to think about how you can cope differently with stress.
