Stress Awareness Month: Understanding Stress and Finding Space to Breathe
- Jessie Thomas
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
Stress is something we all experience at different points in our lives. Sometimes it’s short-lived and manageable, but at other times it can quietly build in the background until it starts to affect how we think, feel, and function day to day.
Stress Awareness Month offers a helpful opportunity to pause and reflect. Not just on what’s causing stress, but also on how we’re responding to it — and what support might help us feel more balanced again.
The important thing to remember is that stress isn’t always a sign that something is wrong. It’s a natural response to pressure, change, and uncertainty. But when stress becomes constant, it can begin to take a toll on our wellbeing.
What Stress Can Look Like
Stress doesn’t always show up in obvious ways. It can look different for everyone, and often builds gradually.
You might notice:
Feeling overwhelmed by everyday responsibilities
Difficulty switching off or relaxing
Trouble concentrating or making decisions
Feeling more irritable or emotionally sensitive
Physical tension, headaches, or fatigue
Changes in sleep or appetite
Sometimes stress can also feel like being constantly “busy” without feeling productive, or feeling mentally full even when nothing specific is wrong.
The Different Types of Stress
Stress can come from many areas of life, and often it's a combination of factors:
Everyday stress Balancing responsibilities, managing time, juggling work, home, and personal commitments.
Emotional stress Relationship challenges, grief, uncertainty, or life transitions.
Acute stress Short-term stress linked to specific situations — deadlines, decisions, or unexpected changes.
Chronic stress Long-term stress that continues without relief, which can lead to exhaustion or burnout.
Understanding the type of stress you're experiencing can sometimes help you identify what support might be most helpful.
Why Stress Builds Over Time
Often, stress builds when we don’t have enough time or space to recover. This might happen when:
Life feels busy for long periods without a break
You're supporting others while neglecting your own needs
You're navigating change or uncertainty
You're putting pressure on yourself to keep going
Many people cope by pushing through, which can work for a while — but over time, it can leave you feeling drained and disconnected.
How Counselling Can Help
Counselling offers a calm, supportive space to slow down and reflect. It’s a place where you can talk openly, without pressure or judgement, about what’s on your mind.
Counselling can help by:
Creating space to pause and reflect
Helping you understand what’s contributing to stress
Exploring patterns and pressures in your life
Supporting you to reconnect with your needs and boundaries
Helping you feel less alone in what you're experiencing
Sometimes, simply having time to talk and be heard can bring a sense of clarity and relief.
Small Ways to Support Yourself
Alongside counselling, small changes can also help ease stress:
Taking short breaks during the day
Spending time away from screens
Talking to someone you trust
Getting outside or moving your body
Checking in with yourself regularly
These small steps can help create moments of calm, even during busy or challenging times.
Three Books We Recommend for Understanding Stress
Reading can also be a helpful way to better understand stress and explore practical ways to manage it. Here are three thoughtful and accessible books we often recommend:
A well-known and engaging book that explains how stress affects the body and mind. Sapolsky blends science with humour, helping readers understand why modern life can create long-term stress — and what we can do about it.
Why we recommend it:It helps normalise stress and provides insight into how stress affects both physical and emotional wellbeing.
This practical and accessible book explores simple lifestyle changes that can help reduce stress. It focuses on small, manageable adjustments that can make a meaningful difference.
Why we recommend it:It’s approachable, realistic, and encourages small changes rather than overwhelming solutions.
This book explores how stress builds up and how we can complete the “stress cycle” to prevent burnout. It combines research, storytelling, and practical tools.
Why we recommend it:It offers compassionate, practical strategies and helps readers understand why stress sometimes lingers.
A Gentle Reminder
Stress is a natural part of life, but it doesn’t have to be something you carry alone. Whether through counselling, conversation, or small daily changes, support can make a meaningful difference.
Stress Awareness Month is simply a reminder to pause, reflect, and consider what you might need right now.
Sometimes, that first step is simply acknowledging that things feel a little heavy — and giving yourself permission to seek support.
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