Stress is our body’s reaction to feeling overwhelmed or under pressure. When we don’t know what to do, when we feel our well-being or social position is threatened, or when things are getting out of control, we are experiencing stress.
Stress has been around since the days of the caveman. It helped us survive by making our body ready to flee or fight in case of danger, such as a predatory attack.
Even today, stress is not always bad. In small doses and the right situation it can motivate you to complete an urgent task or respond quickly in time-sensitive situations.
Yet, long-term stress is never helpful and is sometimes hard to recognise. It’s possible to be deeply stressed, and putting your body under tremendous pressure without even realising what is happening.