Stress is a natural reaction to feeling under pressure or facing a perceived threat. It triggers the brain’s fight, flight or freeze response, releasing adrenaline to help us respond quickly.
While this response can be helpful in the short term, ongoing stress can become exhausting and may lead to burnout.
You may notice emotional symptoms such as irritability, anger, tearfulness, or feeling worried, anxious or scared. It can also become difficult to make decisions, leaving you feeling overwhelmed with racing thoughts.
Physical symptoms can include headaches, dizziness, high blood pressure, chest discomfort, stomach problems, muscular tension, and sometimes skin reactions such as hives or stress rashes.
By understanding how your brain responds to stress and learning how to manage it more effectively, you can begin to feel calmer, more in control, and better able to cope with everyday life.