Sometimes known as the 'flight or fight' response, stress causes an array of physical changes in the body which are primally designed to help us survive threats and life-threatening situations. This can create an adrenaline fuelled feeling causing responses such as a pounding heart, quickened breathing, tense muscles and a noticable sweat. 

These physiological changes usually pass once a stressful situation has ended however if you are constantly feeling stressed your body is stuck in a heightened state of alert. Stress can affect how you feel emotionally, mentally and physically consequently influencing how you behave. 

Emotionally

• Overwhelmed
• Irritable
• Anxious or fearful
• Lacking in self-esteem

Mentally

• Racing thoughts
• Constant worrying
• Difficulties concentrating and making decisions

Physically 

• Headaches 
• Muscle tension or pain 
• Dizziness 
• Sleeping problems 
• Feeling tired all the time 
• Eating too much or too little

Behaviour 

• Drinking or smoking more 
• Snapping at people 
• Avoiding things or people you are having problems with

What Causes Stress?

Life-changing events can create stress even happy ones such as a baby or planning for a wedding. Usually, the sensation of feeling like you aren't in control of the events in your life can also enforce stress in various settings, for example; 

• Work - unemployment or a high workload
• Family - divorce, relationship difficulties or being a carer
• Housing - moving house or problems with neighbours
• Personal issues - coping with serious illness, bereavement or financial problems

It is important to deal with your stress if you can as avoiding problems can make them worse in the long run. If you can't change a stressful situation, accept it and refocus you energy elsewhere. 

How to Tackle Stress

You can do a lot of things to manage stress better, these include: 

• Being active - to read more on being active for mental wellbeing, click here
• Connect with people - spend time with friends and family
• Have some 'me time' away from work 
• Accept the unchangable 
• Try mindfulness - studies show this can reduce stress and remind you to stay in the moment
• Share your problems - a problem shared is a problem halved
• Make time for sleep 
• Eat a balanced diet.