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Stress is our body’s response to pressure. Many different situations or life events can cause stress. It is often triggered when we experience something new or unexpected that threatens our sense of self or when we feel we have little control over a situation.
When we encounter stress, our body produces stress hormones that trigger a fight or flight response and activate our immune system. This helps us respond quickly to dangerous situations.
Sometimes, this stress response can be helpful. It can help us push through fear or pain so we can run a marathon or deliver a speech, for example. Our stress hormones usually return to normal quickly once the stressful event is over, and there won’t be any lasting effects.
(Page information source: Mental Health Foundation)
If you are stressed you might feel:
These feelings can sometimes produce physical symptoms, making you feel even worse.
How your body might react:
How you might behave:
All of us can probably recognise some of the feelings described above. Some people seem to be more affected by stress than others. For some people, getting out of the door on time each morning can be a very stressful experience, whereas others may be less affected by a great deal of pressure.
If you’re feeling stressed, there are some things you can try to feel less tense and overwhelmed.
Stress | Anxiety |
|---|---|
Caused by an external trigger | Caused by an internal reaction |
Usually temporary | Can persist long-term |
Can have positive or negative effects | Usually feels like this is a negative emotion |
