Stress

Stress is your body’s built-in alarm system. It switches on when your brain thinks you need extra energy to cope – a deadline, money worries, conflict at home, uncertainty, too much to do, or not enough support. In small doses, stress can help you focus and get things done.

The problem is when it stays on for too long. Then your body keeps pumping out “go” chemicals like adrenaline and cortisol, and you start running life with the engine revving.

You might notice:

• a tight jaw or shoulders,
• headaches,
• gut problems,
• poor sleep,
• irritability,
• restlessness,
• trouble concentrating,
• more scrolling/drinking/snacking,
• or feeling overwhelmed by small things.

Some people go into overdrive (busy, driven, can’t switch off); others shut down (tired, numb, avoidant).

Stress isn’t a personal failing. It’s a signal: demands are outweighing your resources. The fix isn’t just “be tougher” – it’s adjusting the load, building recovery time and learning ways to calm the nervous system.