The common causes of stress

Stress is your body’s natural reaction to any kind of demand that disrupts life as usual. In small doses, stress is good – such as when it helps you conquer a fear or gives you extra motivation and endurance to get something done. But there’s also bad stress, which is often caused by worries such as money, work, relationships, family or health, whether it be sudden and short or long-lasting.

Feeling stress for too long (chronic stress) sets off your body’s warning system of physical, emotional, cognitive and behavioural alarms. Chronic stress that is left unchecked or poorly managed is known to contribute to high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, diabetes and suicide.

So, when things aren’t going your way, or you feel like you are losing control or are overwhelmed, pay attention to the warning signs listed below. They are just some of the ways that your body is telling you it needs extra care.

  • Headaches, muscle tension, neck or back pain
  • Chest pains, rapid heartbeat
  • Difficulty falling or staying asleep
  • Loss of appetite or overeating comfort foods
  • Lack of concentration or focus
  • Memory problems
  • Irritability
  • Anxiety

Everyone reacts to stress differently and each body sends out its different set of red flags. By noticing how you respond to stress, you can manage it better and in healthier ways.

You can find more information about how to manage and cope with stress here.

The information in this blog is for general informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for personalised guidance. The author(s) and publisher(s) are not liable for errors or omissions, and reliance on the content is at your own risk.


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