Stress is a natural response that can affect anyone, but understanding it and knowing how to manage it is essential for overall well-being. Stress occurs when your body reacts to demands or threats, whether they’re real or perceived. This triggers a rapid, automatic response known as the “fight-or-flight” reaction or the “stress response,” where your body’s defenses go into overdrive to protect you from danger. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by stress, seeking support from a psychologist can provide valuable tools and guidance to navigate life’s challenges more effectively.
Stress and when to seek support
Our experienced Melbourne psychologists can support you through all kinds of life changes. Here are some common examples of situations and factors that can result in stress:
- High workload, tight deadlines, conflicts with colleagues or supervisors
- Job insecurity and career transitions
- Financial stress and struggling with debt or unexpected expenses
- Economic instability or job loss
- Problems in personal relationships including conflicts with a partner or family issues
- Relationship break down or divorce from long term partners
- Students may experience stress due to academic pressures with upcoming exams and assignments
- Expectation from self and others relating to a desire to excel academically
- Coping with illness and chronic health conditions
- Caring for a loved one with health issues found to be emotionally and physically demanding
- Life transitions and major life events such as moving or getting married
- Significant life changes such as having a baby or retirement as they involve significant adjustments
- Natural disasters or other environmental factors such as pollution or ongoing noise
- Personal stressors including perfectionism and low self-esteem
- Negative thinking patterns and unrealistic expectations of oneself
- Experiencing trauma such as accidents or assaults
- Loss of a loved one leading to acute stress or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Minor irritations and inconveniences in everyday such as traffic jams, long line, or technology issues
Here are some ways that stress can impact the way you feel:
- Anxiety, irritability, anger, sadness, and frustration
- Easily agitated or overwhelmed by daily challenges
- Feeling fine one moment and then suddenly become upset or anxious without an apparent trigger
- Persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed
- Excessive worry, restlessness, and a sense of impending doom or danger
- Erode self-esteem and self-confidence feeling of inadequacy
Here are some ways that stress can impact your thinking:
- Racing thoughts or constant stream of intrusive and negative thoughts making it difficult to focus on tasks or relax
- Cognitive impairment that impairs cognitive functions such as memory, attention, and decision-making
- Difficulty with concentrating and remember important things
- Magnify situations and viewing them as much worse than they
- Overthinking and excessive rumination about a problem without a finding solution
- Negative self-talk that contributes to a negative inner dialogue and self-criticism that erodes your self-esteem
- Difficulty problem-solving that makes it challenging to find effective solutions to challenges
Here are some ways that stress can impact your behaviour:
- Angry outbursts due to irritability, causing conflicts in personal and professional relationships
- Avoidance and withdrawal from social interactions
- Avoiding responsibilities or isolation, resulting in a decline in participation and engagement
- Changes in eating habits including overeating or under-eating leading to unhealthy dietary patterns
- Turning to substances like alcohol, tobacco, or drugs as a way to cope
- Procrastination and difficulty with task initiation, resulting in decreased productivity and academic decline
- Sleep disturbances such as difficulties falling asleep and staying asleep
This too shall pass.
What are some ways for managing stress?
Set Clear Goals and Priorities: Determine tasks that are urgent and those that can wait. Don’t hesitate to decline new responsibilities if you’re already overloaded. At the end of the day, focus on acknowledging your accomplishments rather than dwelling on what remains unfinished.
Stay Connected: Avoid isolation and seek support from friends, family, or your community. Don’t hesitate to ask for help when needed, both for emotional support and practical assistance. Remember, you are not alone in your struggle with stress.
How can Positive Wellbeing Psychology help?
At Positive Wellbeing Psychology, our experienced Melbourne psychologists have a special interest in stress management and guiding individuals through life transitions using evidence-based approaches including Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy.
Unexpected life challenges and transitions often bring stress and self-reflection. It’s natural to question your path, sense of purpose and identity during transformative life shifts.
Make an Appointment
At Positive Wellbeing Psychology, we offer flexible appointments with our psychologists during the day, evening, or weekends, both in-person at our Melbourne psychology practice or online via telehealth.
Our team of psychologists hold full registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and adhere to ethical guidelines as mandated by the Psychologists Registration Board and the Australian Psychological Society. Our clinical practice is grounded in evidence-based treatment approaches, ensuring comprehensive support for stress management and adjusting to life changes.