What is Stress?…….

Stress can affect us all and can come to us from many different angles both environmental and individual stresses.

I look back to my wedding day in 2010 it was magical yet the evening before I felt so stressed leading up to the big day!

I had physical symptoms of nausea and headaches caused by stress!

Going on holiday can be stressful, do I have my passport? Covid certificates,? Stressing if I am going to get stopped by the security for carrying liquid and potentially have that really awkward and embarrassing moment when you have left your water bottle at the bottom of your bag and the security light flashes, then your pulled to the side for the security guard to unpack your belongings, praying that no knickers fall out of your bag, standing there trying to fake a smile feeling like some sort of criminal……….. stressed……….

Some stress can actually be good for us it can make us get things done, I am now reflecting on some of my acting days, standing at the side of the stage, pacing up and down with sweaty palms, palpitations….. going over in my head the dialogue for the play, the play that I’ve been rehearsing for weeks.

I am about to perform, I start to over think… do I have the right props….. what side of the stage am I? ….  Do I need the loo AGAIN?…

Adrenaline pumping through my body, I take some deep breaths then go for it,  it’s the end of the performance ahhh that sense of relief and achievement.

A round of applause then phew!

Stress also can come from many other forms:

• Physical stress - illness, binge drinking, drug use , poor diet, lack of routine.

• Environmental stress- social isolation, unemployment, new environments, moving home.

• Emotional stress- Relationship problems , peer pressure, leaving home, conflicts.

• Acute life events- Bereavement, childbirth, physical illness, assault.

• Chronic stress -Debts, accommodation problems.

As humans we have a lot to deal with right, the list goes, I am sure you are thinking of some of your stresses right now?

Everyone has their own stress in life and everyone’s  stress is very different,  some people can handle it  more than others, we all deal with stress in many different ways and sometimes lean towards unhelpful coping mechanisms in these times.

Remember as human beings we are not designed to function with high levels of stress over long periods of time or we will snap!