Stress is an imbalance in demands being made and our ability to meet them. The reasons people get stressed vary, for example moving house, losing a loved one, starting a new job, worrying about a deadline… they all can have an effect on us in different ways.
Interestingly enough, stress in itself isn't necessarily harmful. A little bit can actually help motivate you to achieve goals and ambitions. It’s when you’re under too much stress that your health can suffer. Thankfully, there are a number of simple steps you can take to help manage stress and stressful situations. The first step is to recognise the signs of stress.
When we are stressed our bodies respond by releasing hormones (like adrenalin and cortisol) which leads to physical changes such as your heart beating faster, starting to sweat and our muscles tensing up. These usually go away as soon as the stress is removed, but if the stress sticks around (e.g. an ongoing financial problem) it could become chronic and start to affect you in other ways:
Increased irritability– if you’re feeling unusually snappy or angry and you’re not sure why
Heightened sensitivity– are you bursting into tears at the smallest thing or getting overly defensive when criticised?
Difficulty getting to sleep, insomnia or waking early in the morning
Headaches, muscle tension or pain
Difficulty concentrating
Indigestion, upset stomach
If you are experiencing any of these signs on a regular basis you should speak to your doctor for further advice.
After you’ve noticed that you’re feeling stressed, it’s important to find out why. Take a close look at the things going on in your life. Are you in a particularly stressful situation at home or work?
If the cause of your stress isn’t immediately obvious, you could try keeping a ‘stress-busting’ notebook. Take it with you wherever you go and record the times you feel stressed and why. Once you know what causes your stress, you can learn to manage it.
Here are some more stress-busting techniques:
Support is available for those who may be distressed by phoning:
Lifeline 13 11 14
MensLine 1300 789 978
Kids Helpline 1800 551 800
Beyondblue 1300 224 636
RB-M-06750
First published: 15th February 2021
Last updated: 4th June 2025
This medicine may not be right for you. Read the label before purchase. Follow the directions for use. Incorrect use could be harmful. If symptoms persist, talk to your health professional.
This article is for general information only and not intended as a substitute for medical advice. All information presented on these web pages is not meant to diagnose or prescribe. In all health-related matters, always consult your health professional.
