THREE-quarters of us say we are stressed, with work named as the biggest factor. Even before the pandemic, 74 per cent felt overwhelmed or unable to cope, according to the Mental Health Foundation.
And experts fear this may have got worse.
Stress is the body’s reaction to feeling threatened and has been humans’ survival response since caveman days.
But living with it every day over a long period of time can take a toll on physical and mental health.
Chartered psychologist Professor Gail Kinman explained: “One of the best ways to describe stress is when the demand on you exceeds your ability to cope — from professional life, personal life or both.”
Last year 822,000 people reported suffering from work- related stress, depression or anxiety, with many blaming workload pressures, tight deadlines and too much responsibility.
Prof Kinman added: “Pressure can boost health and performance if it is short-term but if it is longer and you feel out of control or lack support, it can affect your mental and physical health.
“Fear is a massive part of the stress factor response and leads to increased heart rate, tensed muscles, more focused vision and that rush you feel as it releases adrenaline.
“These are designed to help with short-term threats, like running away from danger.“But much of the stress in our lives is long-term and, if you have these responses again and again, it can lead to high blood pressure and muscular skeletal problems and it affects our heart.
“Symptoms vary. Some people feel ratty or teary, others hide away and reject support.
“At work people can be indecisive or sloppy. It affects us physically, socially and cognitively.”
Stress can lead to overeating and more than a quarter of people say they drink more alcohol when stressed.
Inpatient hospital admissions caused by stress-related illnesses can cost the NHS £8billion a year.
Prof Kinman said: “It is not sustainable to live in a constant state of reacting to stress so we need stress-busting strategies.”
With Stress Awareness Day coming on Wednesday, take The Sun on Sunday Health’s quiz, to find out how stressed you are — and then read our tips on how to keep it at bay.
To read daily news, click here.
