Managing stress

What is stress?

We all talk about stress, but what does it actually mean?

People often use the term stress to describe the feeling they have when it all seems too much, when they are overloaded and don't feel that they are able to meet all the demands placed upon them.

That's not to say that a bit of pressure isn't good for you. Some pressure is inevitable. But it's important to know the difference between pressure and problematic stress. Problems arise when the pressure you're under is more than you are able to cope with.

Are you stressed?

If you think you might be experiencing stress ask yourself the following questions:

• Are you angry and impatient with people close to you?
• Do you feel close to tears over small events?
• Are you behaving differently from usual?
• Do you feel isolated from people around you?
• Is your self-esteem at rock bottom?

Do you have any of these physical symptoms?

• Sleeplessness
• Loss of appetite or irregular eating
• Panic attacks and difficulty breathing
• Tight, knotty feelings in your stomach
• Low energy and lack of concentration
• Loss of interest in things around you