Manage Stress
Not all stress is bad. But long-term stress can lead to health problems.
Preventing and managing long-term stress can lower your risk for other conditions — like heart disease, obesity, high blood pressure, and depression.
You can prevent or reduce stress by:
- Planning ahead
- Deciding which tasks to do first
- Preparing for stressful events
Some stress is hard to avoid. You can find ways to manage stress by:
- Noticing when you feel stressed
- Taking time to relax
- Getting active and eating healthy
- Finding solutions to problems you’re having
- Talking to friends and family
Signs and Health Effects
What are the signs of stress?
When you're under stress, you may feel:
- Worried
- Angry
- Irritable
- Depressed
- Unable to focus
Stress also affects your body. Physical signs of stress include:
- Headaches
- Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much
- Upset stomach
- Weight gain or loss
- Tense muscles
- Stress can also lead to a weakened immune system (the system in the body that fights infections), which could make you more likely to get sick.
Causes of Stress
What causes stress?
Stress is how the body reacts to a challenge or demand.
Change is often a cause of stress. Even positive changes, like having a baby or getting a job promotion, can be stressful.
Stress can be short-term or long-term.
Common causes of short-term stress:
- Needing to do a lot in a short amount of time
- Having a lot of small problems in the same day, like getting stuck in traffic jam or running late
- Getting ready for a work or school presentation
- Having an argument
Common causes of long-term stress:
- Having problems at work or at home
- Having money problems
- Having a long-term illness
- Taking care of someone with an illness
- Dealing with the death of a loved one
Benefits of Lower Stress
What are the benefits of managing stress?
Over time, long-term stress can lead to health problems. Managing stress can help you:
- Sleep better
- Control your weight
- Have less muscle tension
- Be in a better mood
- Get along better with family and friends