What is Stress and How Does It Affect You?
Stress is a feeling of emotional or physical tension. It can come from any event or thought that makes you feel frustrated, angry, or nervous. In short bursts, stress can be positive, such as when it helps you avoid danger or meet a deadline. But when stress lasts for a long time, it may harm your health.
The First Step: Identification
You can't manage stress if you don't know what's causing it. Take a moment to think about the major sources of stress in your life. They often fall into these categories:
- Work/School: Heavy workload, tight deadlines, difficult colleagues or classmates.
- Life Events: Moving, a new job, loss of a loved one.
- Relationships: Conflict with a partner, family member, or friend.
- Internal: Pessimism, negative self-talk, unrealistic expectations.
Identifying your personal stressors is the crucial first step toward taking control.