Stress and how you can manage it

Stress is the feeling of being under too much mental or emotional pressure, and pressure turns into stress when you feel unable to cope.
Some of the traits you may feel when stressed include heart pounding, quickened breathing, muscle tensions and you may also start to sweat.

Emotional symptoms of stress

• Feeling of being overwhelmed
• irritability and feeling “wound up”
• anxiety or fear
• lack of self-esteem

Mental symptoms of stress

• racing thoughts
• constant worrying
• difficulty concentrating
• difficulty making decisions

Physical symptoms of stress
• headaches
• muscle tension or pain
• dizziness
• sleep problems
• feeling tired all the time
• eating too much or too little
What you can do if you’re stressed
• Exercise.

Exercise won’t make your stress disappear, but it will reduce some of the emotional intensity that you’re feeling, clearing your thoughts and letting you to deal with your problems more calmly.

• Take control

There’s a solution to any problem. “If you remain passive, thinking, ‘I can’t do anything about my problem’, your stress will get worse,” says Professor Cooper.

“That feeling of loss of control is one of the main causes of stress and lack of wellbeing.”

The act of taking control is in itself empowering, and it’s a crucial part of finding a solution that satisfies you and not someone else.

Connect with people
A good support network of colleagues, friends and family can ease your work troubles and help you see things in a different way.

“If you don’t connect with people, you won’t have support to turn to when you need help,” says Professor Cooper.

The activities we do with friends help us relax. We often have a good laugh with them, which is an excellent stress reliever.
“Talking things through with a friend will also help you find solutions to your problems,” says Professor Cooper.

• Practice mindfulness

Mindfulness is a mental state achieved by focusing one’s awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one’s feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations, often used as a therapeutic technique.Studies have found mindfulness can help reduce stress and improve your mood.

• Share your problems with family or friends
• Make more time for your interests and hobbies
• Take a break or holiday.

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