Unveiling stress: the modern epidemic

We all experience stress, it’s part of everyday life. A stressor is anything our brain and body perceive as a threat, whether the danger is real or imagined. Our body’s reaction to that stressor is called the stress response, often described as the “fight, flight, or freeze” reaction. This is our built-in survival mechanism is designed to keep us safe: we either confront the threat, escape from it, or find ourselves unable to move. When this response is triggered, powerful hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol are released. The sympathetic nervous system switches on, preparing us to deal with the challenge. This is why you might feel your heart racing, your muscles tensing, or notice that you are suddenly on high alert. In the short term, this reaction is incredibly useful, it helps us stay sharp and respond quickly to danger.

From an evolutionary perspective, the stress response has kept humans alive for thousands of years. The difficulty is that in modern life, we rarely face physical threats like predators, imagine we were in the Sahara dessert. Instead, our stress is more often caused by a range of other challenges such as workload, financial pressures, relationship strains, family responsibilities, or health concerns. Because these stressors don’t disappear quickly, our stress response can remain switched on for long periods, leading to what is known as chronic stress. Which the system was not created for.

Chronic stress is where problems arise. Prolonged exposure to stress hormones can interfere with memory, concentration and decision-making. It can upset the digestive system, contribute to stomach ulcers, and suppress the immune system, which is why many people find themselves coming down with colds or infections when they are under pressure. Psychologically, chronic stress increases the risk of anxiety and depression, leaving us feeling exhausted and overwhelmed.

In an attempt to cope, many people fall into unhelpful habits. Some turn to alcohol, nicotine or caffeine to “take the edge off.” Others may overeat, skip meals, withdraw from friends and family, or lash out in anger. Nervous habits such as nail-biting or skin-picking can also appear. While these behaviours may provide temporary relief, they often make matters worse in the long run, taking a further toll on our health and wellbeing.

The encouraging news is that stress can be managed. By recognising its signs, understanding how it affects us, and adopting healthier coping strategies, we can protect both our physical and mental health. Regular exercise, good sleep, mindfulness, talking to trusted friends or colleagues, and setting clear boundaries are all practical ways of keeping stress in check and building resilience in the face of life’s challenges.

The first step to dealing with stress is recognising it, how it shows up for you and how it impacts you.

Recognising the Signs of Stress

We are all unique humans and stress can manifest itself in many different ways and may differ across individuals. Signs to look out for:

Cognitive symptoms: Memory problems, inability to concentrate, anxious or racing thoughts or over thinking, constantly worrying and focussing on the negative.

Emotional symptoms: Anxiety, fear and panic, mood swings, loneliness, feeling overwhelmed and sense of anger of anger or agitation.

Behavioural symptoms: Struggling to make decisions, procrastination, difficulty concentrating, lower work performance and withdrawal from social activities.

Physical symptoms: Exhaustion or trouble sleeping, migraines or headaches, muscle tension or grinding teeth, lowered sex drive or digestive issues.

If any of this feels familiar, please know you’re not on your own. I’m here to listen, reach out whenever you’re ready.