Anxiety, feeling overwhelmed and stressed can affect anyone at any time for many reasons, Stress is a normal physical and mental response to life’s challenges. Stress becomes problematic to our wellbeing when our usual coping strategies aren’t working, and we feel more and more overwhelmed by the stress. There are different types of stress and many helpful resources to access when trying to cope with stress becomes problematic.
Positive and negative stress
A manageable level of stress can give you energy and motivation, improving our performance in activities like operational duties at work, sport or public speaking.
When stress overwhelms your capacity to cope, it can negatively impact health, wellbeing, relationships, work and enjoyment of life. This may lead to reduced productivity and burnout.
For more academic information about the Yerkes-Dodson law - a psychological concept modelling the relationship between stress and task performance - visit How Yikes-Dodson law works
What happens when we feel stress?
The hormones that are triggered when you are feeling stressed are the same as those that trigger the body’s ‘fight or flight’ response when you feel threatened. It’s your body’s way of trying to protect you, by preparing you to react quickly.
Types of stress
What can I do?
For stress that’s out of your control
Stress you can’t control might include things like major organisational changes or management directions, or unexpected life challenges such as a death or chronic health concern of a family or friend.
The best thing to do is try to adapt how you think and feel about the situation. You might not be in control of the stressful event, but you have control over how you respond.
For stress that’s within your control
Stress within your control could range from a workplace issue, to tackling a physical health problem or personal conflict. The goal is to respond in a way that actively manages the situation.
Treatment
Most people will be faced with major stress at some time in their life and it can feel overwhelming. Sometimes an outside perspective can help. There are several evidence-based treatment approaches that can support you with managing stress in your life, including Cognitive Behavioural Stress Management, Stress Inoculation Training, and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction.
If you’re concerned about your stress levels, the physical symptoms of stress, or you’d like a health screening, consider seeing a trained medical professional, such as a doctor or mental health professional. Speak with your GP about referral options to a mental health professional who specialises in these treatment approaches.
More information and resources
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