Understanding Stress Reaction: Warning Signs to look out for
Whether in academics, family, or personal matters, our different problems or issues could trigger our stress response, in order to help us adapt to the environmental changes.
Generally speaking, while ‘eustress’ is a positive and motivating form of stress, ‘distress’ is undesirable and can lead to negative and debilitating effects on our health, such as decreased attention, impaired judgement and reduced work efficiency.
It is important for you to be alert to your condition and develop effective stress-management skills to safeguard your physical and psychological well-being in long run, in order to prevent physical and mental exhaustion (e.g., damaging the cardiovascular system and developing high blood pressure) or emotional dysregulation (e.g., becoming irritable and socially withdrawn).
Take a minute and think back if you have recently encountered the following reactions during distress:
- Feeling anxious and over worrying
- Feeling distracted and bad tempered
- Lost appetite or overeating
- Sleep disturbance
- Avoid socializing
- Continuous pressure
- Difficult to concentrate
- Feeling tired, unmotivated
- Having a breakdown or feeling depressed
- Short of breath, feeling dizzy and uncomfortable
- Feeling confused and unquiet
- Stomach Upset
- Excessive intake of alcohol, coffee or other nerve-stimulating drinks
- Feeling restless
The number of responses is directly in proportion to the level of stress you currently have.
At different stages of university life, especially during the transition period of entering university as a freshman, we should pay attention to our mental health while learning effective stress management techniques to maintain physical and mental well-being.
To learn more about stress management techniques, please read on to Navigating from Academics, Social Life to Daily Living – Strategies for University Students to Manage Stress.
If you wish to seek emotional support or assistance, please contact WACC and make an appointment with our counsellors; we are here to listen when you are ready.