For most people stress is an everyday occurrence. You may not even know you are stressed but anytime you feel overwhelmed, nervous or startled, you’re also stressed. When stressed, your brain initiates a cascade of reactions designed to keep you alive; digestion is altered and hormones are released. However, if you are continually stressed over time and the stress response is left “on”, you can begin to feel worn down. 

Stress isn’t always bad, in small doses it can allows us cope with the task at hand and help us get things done under pressure. However overtime this nearly constant state of stress can begin to fray us at the edges, leaving us feeling frazzled and overwhelmed which can lead to even more stressful feelings. 

Finding ways to remove stressors or even just handle your response to stress more appropriately is key to reducing the stress response and its negative consequences.