Stress
Understanding stress
What stress does to your body, and why it isn't always the enemy.
What's happening
Stress is your body preparing to act: heart rate climbs, muscles tense and focus narrows. In short bursts it helps you perform. Problems start when it never switches off.
Signs it's building up
Poor sleep, a short temper, tight shoulders or jaw, headaches, drinking more, or losing interest in things you usually enjoy.
What helps
Move every day, even a 10-minute walk. Protect your sleep. Break big problems into the next small step. Tell one person what's going on.
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