Mental Health Info: Stress

Most of the time, the things that cause stress aren’t dangerous. Often, stress is caused by everyday things, like taking a test, getting called on in class, awkward situations, or having too much to do. These things cause emotional stress. But your body responds to emotional stress the same way it responds to a safety threat — it makes stress hormones. That’s why, in a moment of emotional stress, you might feel “butterflies” in your stomach. Your heart might beat faster or your breathing might feel shallow. You might feel shaky or sweaty. You might want to pace around. You might feel restless, tense, edgy, or anxious. In situations like these, you won’t need to fight or run fast. But your body’s stress response can still help you focus, gather your energy, and face the situation with courage. When you handle the situation, you start to feel relief from your stress. Your stress hormones ease up. The "butterfly" feelings fade. Your heartbeat slows down to its normal pace. Your whole body starts to go back to its non-stressed state. You can help this process along when you learn and practice ways to manage your stress.