How Is Stress Impacting Your Life?

Do you feel like you work well under pressure? Are you able to juggle multiple responsibilities, meet deadlines, and keep up with your busy daily schedule? You might believe you thrive under pressure, becoming more productive when the clock ticks. But the truth is, chronic stress—especially the kind that builds over time without proper management—can take a serious toll on both your physical and mental health.

While short bursts of stress can enhance focus and performance in the short term, long-term stress is harmful. According to the American Psychological Association (APA), chronic stress can contribute to anxiety, insomnia, muscle pain, high blood pressure, and a weakened immune system. It has even been linked to the development of major illnesses such as heart disease, depression, and obesity (APA, 2020).

Stress often doesn’t show its impact immediately. Many people report working well under pressure, but the cumulative effect of stress can lead to burnout, emotional exhaustion, and health problems. Whether it's emotional eating, frequent colds, irritability, or eventually hitting a wall, stress will find a way to show up.

For some, stress leads to binge eating, especially foods high in sugar and fat. Cortisol, the stress hormone, increases appetite and cravings for comfort foods. Studies have shown that high cortisol levels are associated with increased abdominal fat and weight gain (Epel et al., 2000).

Chronic stress can suppress the immune response, making us more susceptible to infections and slower to heal from illness (Segerstrom & Miller, 2004). If you find yourself frequently unwell, your stress levels may be partly to blame.

Unrelenting pressure can lead to anxiety and depression. A study published in The Lancet found that work-related stress is a major risk factor for depression and psychological distress (Stansfeld & Candy, 2006).

When the body and mind are pushed beyond their limits for too long, they can shut down. Burnout is now recognised by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as an occupational phenomenon resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed.

Modern life is full of pressures: jobs that drain us, families who rely on us, and financial burdens that keep us up at night. And often, we put ourselves last—telling ourselves we'll rest later, care for ourselves when we have time, or relax after the next deadline. But if we don't create space to recharge, we risk losing what matters most: our health.

The more pressure we pile on ourselves, the more problems we may unintentionally create. A constant state of ‘doing’ without space for ‘being’ can wear us down. We are not machines—we need rest, connection, and care.

Acknowledge your stress rather than ignore it. Notice how it shows up in your body and mind.

Practice self-care daily—not as a luxury, but as a necessity. This might include sleep, exercise, meditation, or time in nature.

Set boundaries and learn to say no when necessary.

Talk to someone—whether a friend, therapist, or health coach—who can support you in managing your stress.

Reevaluate your priorities. Sometimes the things we believe are urgent can wait, and our well-being cannot.

Your health—both physical and mental—is your most valuable asset. It's not selfish to take care of yourself; it's essential. Prioritising your own well-being helps you show up better for others and ultimately leads to a more sustainable, fulfilling life.

References:
American Psychological Association. (2020). Stress effects on the body. www.apa.org

Epel, E. et al. (2000). Stress and body shape: Stress-induced cortisol secretion is consistently associated with higher waist-to-hip ratio in women. Psychosomatic Medicine, 62(5), 623–632.

Segerstrom, S.C., & Miller, G.E. (2004). Psychological stress and the human immune system: A meta-analytic study of 30 years of inquiry. Psychological Bulletin, 130(4), 601–630.

Stansfeld, S., & Candy, B. (2006). Psychosocial work environment and mental health – a meta-analytic review. Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health, 32(6), 443–462.

World Health Organisation (WHO). (2019). Burn-out an "occupational phenomenon": International Classification of Diseases. www.who.int